Annual report 2013

annualreport

2 Five-year summary

3 Group overview

4 From the chairman

5 From the chief executive

6 Editorial review

7 Economist Digital

8 TheEconomist Intelligence Unit

9 Americas

10 Asia

11 Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)

12 CQ Roll Call

reportandaccounts

16 Directors

17 Trustees, Board and management committees

18 Directors’ report

22 Directors’ report on remuneration

25 Financial review

27 Independentauditors’ report

28 Consolidated profit and loss account

29 Consolidated balance sheet

30 Consolidated cashflow statement

31 Other statements

32 Principal accounting policies

35 Notes to the financial statements

61 Notice of annual general meeting

2

five-yearsummary

2013 2012 2011 2010 2009

Profitandloss £m £m £m £m £m

Turnover 346 362 347 320 313

Operatingprofit 68 67 63 58 56

Non-operating exceptional items - - - (1) -

Profit on ordinary activities before interest 68 67 63 57 56

Net interest (4) (3) (4) (7) -

Profit before taxation 64 65 60 50 56

Profit after taxation 49 47 44 38 38

Balancesheetandcashflow

Fixed assets 145 131 124 132 69

Net (borrowings)/cash (25) (11) (15) (38) 13

Net current liabilities (69) (65) (56) (57) (50)

Long-term creditors and provisions (87) (71) (57) (77) (34)

Net (liabilities)/assets (11) (5) 12 (2) (15)

Net cash from operating activities 60 70 78 63 57

Ratios 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009

Operating profit to turnover 19.5% 18.6% 18.2% 18.0% 17.8%

Basic earnings per share 194.4p 188.7p 176.5p 152.5p 151.2p

Normalised earnings per share 194.4p 188.7p 176.5p 164.0p 151.2p

Dividendspaidandshares

Final and interim dividend per share 123.2p 116.0p 104.1p 99.6p 95.3p

Special dividend per share 40.0p 40.0p 39.7p 31.7p 0.0p

Total dividend per share 163.2p 156.0p 143.8p 131.3p 95.3p

Times covered (excluding non-operating exceptional items) 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.6

Indicative share value £26.00 £25.00 £24.50 £21.75 £19.75

Dividend yield 6.3% 6.2% 5.9% 6.0% 4.8%

Dividend yield %

2010 2011 20132009

Indicative share value

2010 20112009 2013

Earnings per shareBefore non-operating exceptional items pence £

2010 2011 2013 20122012201220090

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£68m

up 0.3%

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19.5%

up 0.9%

£49m

up 3%

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PrintDigital

The Economist online Total annual visits

mThe Economist global circulation, print and digitalApril to March

0.6

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1.2

2013

1.4

1.6

Group turnover

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Group operating profit

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2010 2011 20132009

Operating profit margin

%

2010 2011 20132009

Group revenue breakdown2013

Subscriptions/circulation174

Advertising105

Turnover by business2013

Americas andCQ Roll Call149

Asia34

EMEA116

The EconomistIntelligence

Unit43

Other3

Sponsorship26

Other41

£m

1.8

2012 2010 2011 20132009 2012 2012

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 20122011

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fromthechairman

4

The Group did well in difficult circumstances. Operating profit of £67.5m edged ahead of last year’s record. Profit after tax increased 3% to £48.7m. Earnings per share also rose 3%, to 194.4p. The Board is recommending a final dividend of 88.7p per share. As a result, the full-year dividend, excluding the special dividend we paid in December 2012, will be 128.9p,

7% higher than last year’s. Includ-ing the special dividend, the yield against the current share price will be 6.5%.

Trading conditions were tough all year, and the market changes we have highlighted for some time are

accelerating. In particular, print advertising fell again in both The Economist and Roll Call. Our record results in the face of these pressures reflect four features of our strategy.

First, we continue to concentrate on circulation revenue and profitability, and to do so across the Group. In the past year 60% of revenue came from selling content as opposed to ad-vertising and other marketing services, compared with 44% five years earlier. Profitability of circulation from The Economist reached an all-time high. At the Economist Intelligence Unit nearly all revenue comes from selling content, and the same is true for CQ Roll Call’s business.

Secondly, the Group is increasingly digital. At The Economist digital revenue grew by 13% in the year, and almost all the EIU’s and more than three-quarters of CQ Roll Call’s revenues come from digital products or digitally delivered services. Across the Group 39% of revenue now comes from digital sources, com-pared with 29% three years ago.

Thirdly, we have benefited from the diversity of the Group’s revenue, in terms both of products and of geography. For ex-

ample, our revenues from customers based in Asia were up by 7%; EIU revenue increased by 7%; and TVC, the marketing agency we bought in March 2012, accounted for 7% of all the revenue we get from UK customers.

Lastly, we have cut costs across the business. We made the dif-ficult decision to reduce staff numbers by 125, despite gaining 44 people in the two healthcare-information companies we bought during the year.

The outlook remains testing. We expect many OECD economies to stagnate, though we see signs of recovery in the US, and we assume the market for print advertising will carry on shrinking. In response we will follow the same strategy that delivered this year’s result: concentrating on circulation, particularly of The Economist; investing in digital and where we see other oppor-tunities (such as in Asia and the EIU); and ensuring tight con-trol of costs. We will keep investing for the long term, though this strategy is likely to reduce earnings this year.

Our staff have responded magnificently to the many challen-ges we face. On behalf of the Board and all our shareholders, I thank them.

As I’m sure you know, Andrew Rashbass is leaving us this sum-mer to become chief executive of Reuters. Andrew has led The Economist Group for the past five years, during which there has been a financial crash, a world recession and a revolution in publishing that has hugely disrupted the business of tradi-tional media companies. The fact that your Group has none-theless just achieved another year of record profits is itself testament to Andrew’s clear head and decisive management. We will miss him, but he goes with our thanks and best wishes.

r u p e rt p e n n a n t - r e a

“We will keep investing for the long term”

fromthechiefexecutive

5

This year has been the most difficult in recent times. Our suc-cessful result stems from the progress we are making with our strategy, tight cost control, the strength of our brands and the commitment and skill of everyone who works here. I thank our staff for the contribution each of them makes to our success.

For The Economist and its associated businesses, we continue to succeed because the newspaper works well in digital formats such as our iPad edition; the brand remains relevant because our readers need to know what is going on beyond the borders of the country in which they live; and we have the right edito-rial and marketing skills. Although more and more people are reading digitally, many are adding digital rather than stopping reading print. Our products and business model accommodate this and we continue to invest in digital editions, in building profitable circulation and in Economist.com.

Profit from circulation has always been important but it is be-coming even more so. Overall, profit from circulation of The Economist, regardless of whether it is digital or in print, comes from efficient marketing, premium pricing, tightly managed direct costs, good renewal rates and, with all of those in place, having more paying readers. We are making sure that the life-time value of our subscribers grows, in whatever format they buy The Economist.

Our digital-advertising capabilities and our ability to help cli-ents with marketing services beyond advertising are evolving, too, to match the changing needs of our clients.

Susan Clark, Nigel Ludlow, Paul Rossi and Tim Pinnegar talk more about all of these circulation and marketing-services trends in the pages that follow.

The Economist Intelligence Unit continues to grow under Chris Stibbs’s leadership. Rich-world companies are looking to

emerging markets for growth and emerging-market companies and nations are looking for growth abroad. To suit these new customers, we have made the EIU’s subscription products more event-driven and easier to navigate, developed our custom-research capabilities and launched EIU Healthcare. As part of our development of our healthcare-information business, we have acquired Clearstate in Singapore and Bazian in London. Clearstate undertakes market research among doctors, hos-pitals and other healthcare providers in emerging markets,

particularly in Asia. Bazian helps cli-ents to use reliable evidence to de-sign treatment pathways and make better healthcare purchasing deci-sions. Chris describes our progress on page 8.

At CQ Roll Call, our coverage of leg-islation and now regulation, contin-ues to lead the market in compre-hensiveness and depth. The market

for information in Washington is competitive and government budgets are being squeezed, but our new advocacy and reg-ulation-related products and services position us well. Keith White, who runs CQ Roll Call, writes about our performance on page 12.

I am leaving The Economist Group after 15 years. I want to thank our staff and our shareholders for the support they have always given me. It has been a privilege to work here. Our peo-ple are committed, expert and fun. I wish them and the com-pany continued good fortune.

a n d r e w r a s h b a s sandrewrashbass@economist.com

“I thank our staff for the contribution each of them makes to our success”

6

It was a year of political competition and economic sluggish-ness. In the American election, The Economist backed the win-ner; in France, Italy and Russia we did not. Our new China sec-tion did not have an obvious effect on the accession of Xi Jin-ping. Our relatively pessimistic view of the euro (stagnation, not break-up) and our relative optimism about the American economy (a bounce-back, not a surge) have so far been proved correct. Our covers ranged from the third industrial revolu-tion to the troubles of François Hollande and the importance of microbes. We have continued to expand our digital output, launching new blogs covering the Middle East (Pomegranate), development and demography (Feast and famine) and religion and public policy (Erasmus). Economist Radio, a new way to lis-ten to our audio content digitally, now attracts 2.4m “listens” a month, while our Facebook fans have reached 1.5m and we have more than 3m followers on both Twitter and Google Plus.

Economist.com won the Best specialist site for journalism in the 2012 Online media awards. Zanny Minton-Beddoes won the senior Wincott financial journalist award and Alexandra Suich won the junior one, a rare double. Zanny also won the 2012 Gerald Loeb commentary award, alongside Patrick Foulis, Edward Carr, John Peet and John O’Sullivan. Oliver August and Helen Joyce won other prizes for their coverage of Africa and Brazil. The saddest part of our year, however, was the death of our Washington bureau chief, Peter David, in a car crash.

The Economist Intelligence Unit’s country-analysis teams topped the Sunday Times annual league table of UK forecasters in 2012. There was a surge of interest in scenarios relating to a possible euro-zone break-up. Helping Western multination-als analyse emerging markets, especially Sub-Saharan Africa,

is a growing task for EIU Editorial, though our custom-research teams undertook an increasing amount of work for emerging-market companies looking to invest in the West. Our strength in the healthcare sector has been greatly enhanced by the add-ition of the editorial teams at both Clearstate and Bazian.

Intelligent Life has had its first full year as a bimonthly and has increased both revenues and profits. It now has 72,000 iPhone

users and 45,000 downloads per issue on the iPad, on top of a print circulation of 175,000. In March a one-off iPad edition fea-tured 75 of our best photographs from 25 issues. We are preparing the first Intelligent Life festival. Our biggest hit this year came

when we put David Bowie on the cover: he responded by com-ing out of retirement.

CQ Roll Call’s year inevitably focused on campaigning rather than policy. Within two days of the US congressional elections we published our “New Member Guide”, with profiles of every newly elected member, essentially introducing them to Wash-ington. In November we also consolidated our two print dailies into Roll Call and hired a new editor, David Rapp. CQ, mean-while, has concentrated on the budget-and-tax debate.

j o h n m i c k l e t h w a i t editor-in-chiefjohnmicklethwait@economist.com

editorialreview

“We have continued to expand our digital output”

7

Readers and advertisers are trying out new channels, plat-forms and technologies as quickly as Silicon Valley and Madi-son Avenue (or, perhaps, Umyeon-dong and Flatiron) can cre-ate them. They are adopting many of the new and, somewhat to our surprise, not abandoning all of the old. Our business is richer, more complex and more challenging as a result. Our focus this year was keeping on top of these changing needs.

We improved the stability of our iPad and iPhone apps, and added some much-re-quested new functions. (Our ratings in the Apple stores around the world are in the 4.0–4.5 range.) We extended our portfolio of digital editions to include apps for Win-dows 8 Tablet, BlackBerry PlayBook and BlackBerry 10 Smartphone to sit alongside our existing apps for iPad, iPhone, Android Tablet and Smartphone. We are op-timising our website for mobile to keep up with our ever-more mobile readers. As readers around the world increasingly enjoy reading and listening across multiple platforms, we built and launched an infrastructure that allows us to sell subscriptions in a fully platform-agnostic way. Our marketers can now sell simply The Economist, regardless of the format or combination of formats a reader prefers. The new system makes it possible for readers to buy print-only, digital-only, web-only or a full bundled sub-scription to The Economist. Rolled out first in North America, the results have consistently shown that 78% or more of our readers will pay for digital: 54% choose print plus digital, 22% choose print only, and 24% digital only.

To encourage more readers to buy subscriptions, we made changes to our website paywall, decreasing the number of free articles. In the course of the year, we have more than doubled

both registrations and subscriptions from our website paywall. Digital-only circulation revenue grew by 53%.

The average number of weekly active readers of our digital edi-tions in December was 642,020, up 11% year on year. Econo-mist.com had 9.7m unique readers in November, 18% more than a year earlier. An important driver of this growth was the

increase in mobile-device users —by year end, 21% of visits came from mobile devices.

On the advertising side, ad revenue grew 67% in our digital editions. We won the tablet advertisement category of the Dig-ital Magazine Awards 2012 for an Avis campaign. Demand for online advertising was weaker, however, particularly in North America.

With the full roll-out next year of the new agnostic marketing approach, we expect even more customers to choose to pay for digital access. By focusing on selling The Economist rather than print or digital and offering readers a platform-agnostic choice of how to read it, we have expanded our prospect pool and look forward to continued growth in readership.

s u s a n c l a r k managing director, economist digitalgroup marketing directorsusanclark@economist.com

economistdigital

“With the full roll-out next year of the new agnostic marketing approach, we expect even more customers to choose to pay for digital access”

8

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) had another strong year, despite the difficult economic environment. Revenue grew by 7% and profit reached a record level. The subscription business remained robust, supported by the introduction of a daily events-driven service; the custom-research business continued its recent record of double-digit growth; and we launched EIU Healthcare.

Our editorial agenda was dominated by misery and oppor-tunity in equal measure. The misery was in Europe, where we focused our efforts on helping clients quantify the risks of a euro break-up and the business difficulties caused by political paralysis across the region. The opportunity was throughout

the emerging world, but most obviously in Africa. Clients are intensely interested in the consumer and business potential across the continent, and we devoted considerable resources to identifying not just promising countries for investment, but also promising cities.

As was the case last year, client budgets for our core subscrip-tion services were under pressure in the developed markets of Europe and North America. Strong growth was again achieved in Asia and we are pressing ahead with plans to place an even greater emphasis there. Globally, renewal rates remained strong at around 90%. Outright cancellations remained low, but more clients reduced the number of products and services purchased. New business offset these buy-downs.

Once again the custom-research business saw strong growth, and we go into 2013-14 with a healthy pipeline of new business.

We acquired Clearstate, a Singapore-based healthcare-infor-mation company, in April, and the EIU global sales team are already winning new business for it. We bought Bazian, a UK company specialising in evidence-based outcome assess-ments, primarily for healthcare providers. We have integrated both acquisitions, and I am confident we have a strong plat-form on which to grow a world-class healthcare-information business.

We now combine our traditional monthly forecasts and anal-ysis with a rapid assessment of events in over 200 markets. This significant change to our editorial operations supports our strategy of providing clients with the information they

need to make timely business decisions. We continued to expand our capabilities in custom research, introducing new method-ologies and entering new markets. Asia is also an area of focus, where we help West-ern clients operate within the region and, increasingly, support local firms operating internationally. We plan to increase our

presence in Asia in 2013 by relocating analysts from London to our offices in China, Hong Kong and Singapore.

The economic environment is unlikely to improve significantly. However, the core subscription business remains resilient, our growth plans for custom research show real returns and our new EIU Healthcare division has great potential. All these reasons, as well as my confidence in the talented and hard-working staff who create, sell and market our services around the world, make me optimistic about the year ahead.

c h r i s s t i b b smanaging director, the economist intelligence unitgroup finance directorchrisstibbs@economist.com

theeconomistintelligenceunit

“The core subscription business remains resilient, our growth plans for custom research show real returns and our new EIU Healthcare division has great potential”

9

The year was a challenging one as we coped with the uncertainty in the US economy caused by the election and the “fiscal cliff”, as well as the continued structural changes resulting from the shift from print to multi-platform reading and advertising.

Our readers are at the forefront in the adoption of tablets, and they are increasingly reading and even listening to The Economist across multiple platforms. Today over half our read-ers own a tablet and that number can only grow. Reflecting this trend we have modified our pricing, and now use fully platform-agnostic marketing offers to sell subscriptions. We have found that the majority of our read-ers are prepared to pay for digital content, either exclusively or as part of a premium-priced print and digital bundled subscrip-tion. Pew Research Center’s “State of the News Media 2013” report observed of The Economist: “Perhaps more so than any of the other news publications, it has moved aggressively to build up its digital subscriber base.” While print circulation has declined, digital reading has grown, and our overall circulation in the region rose by 2% from 922,552 to 938,696 copies.

As readers move to multi-platform consumption, marketers have reallocated their budgets. Our print advertising sales dropped in line with the market. Over the year we have intro-duced several initiatives to increase revenues from the areas where marketing budgets are growing. To capitalise on the growth in advertising in apps, we were the first magazine in the United States to introduce a rate base (the guaranteed dis-tribution for advertisers) for digital editions. The focus on our events and thought-leadership business paid off, with their combined contribution tripling year on year. In addition, we launched a “white-label” or unbranded content-development business to capture some of our clients’ increasing spend on content marketing. To tap into marketing services budgets,

and to be able to offer more competitive integrated pro-grammes to clients, we opened the US office of TVC in New York.

Our Which MBA? business, which helps prospective MBA stu-dents connect to business schools through online fairs, web-inars and rankings, continued to grow. Students from over 145 countries attended our online events. We now also provide an online Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) prepara-tion service. As this service rolls out over the coming year, we see great opportunity to engage with future MBAs and poten-tial Group customers.

In response to the difficult trading environment, we restruc-tured Economist Education and the Ideas People Channel busi-nesses to ensure that our resources are aligned with areas of growth.

Looking ahead, we will continue to invest in building the cir-culation of The Economist through additional direct and brand marketing while developing products and solutions to meet the changing needs of marketers. Our brand remains strong; indeed, the Harris Poll Equitrend survey named The Econo-mist the “Weekly News Magazine Brand of the Year” in 2012 and 2013. Although the outlook is mixed, I believe we are well placed to manage the cyclical and structural changes in our markets.

pa u l r o s s i managing director and evp, americaspaulrossi@economist.com

americas

“Our readers are at the forefront in the adoption of tablets, and they are increasingly reading and even listening to The Economist across multiple platforms”

asia

10

We have been finding new sources for growth in Asia. Prior to 2012 our business in the region grew robustly on the back of healthy print advertising and print subscription revenues. Growth in these areas disappeared during the year as the structural changes affecting the business in other parts of the world took hold in Asia; advertising budgets, for the first time, showed a clear migration from print to digital; and there were significant advances in digital reading. But strong growth in non-print revenues, coupled with tight cost control, fed through into creditable top- and bottom-line performances.

Although structural changes will continue to put pressure on the Asia business, other trends in the region give cause for optimism, in particular the rise of Asian companies—some

globalising for the first time, others accelerating their glo-balisation. The Fortune 500 in 2012 includes 179 companies from Asia compared with 159 from Europe. The Boston Con-sulting Group’s list of top 100 Global Challengers included 58 companies from the region. As these companies search for new opportunities overseas, they need and value a global perspec-tive. We are in a unique position to capitalise on this across our Group businesses.

Looking to 2013-14 and beyond, we believe there are two key drivers of growth. First, continuing the profitable transition from print to multi-channel publishing; and second, develop-ing lines of business which capitalise on the tilt in economic power to the East.

Forty years after the first mobile call was made, there are now 7 billion connected mobile devices worldwide, with countries such as Singapore (92%), Hong Kong (87%), Australia (79%) and South Korea (76%) having the highest penetration rates. Alongside this is a huge increase in the number of tablets be-ing sold in the region. We expect to see a significant portion of our readers buying digital only or the higher-priced print and digital bundle.

China and India loom large in any consideration of new income streams. We continue to build our readership in India, includ-ing developing a mobile product specifically for this market; and we plan to increase our focus on China. The newspaper has a strong business providing advertising and other market-

ing services to Chinese companies seeking a global audience. As we build this client base, we are also actively seeking a way to tap into China’s vast business commu-nity. Challenges abound: English-language comprehension is low; media censorship is always a threat; and there is unwillingness

among consumers to pay for media. But recent research has unearthed a subset of executives who value the global per-spective The Economist brings. Although it is relatively small in size today, at 2m people, we expect this group to grow fast.

Lastly, I would like to thank our staff in Asia who have worked hard over a challenging year and have helped put in place the strategies that leave us well positioned to continue the growth of previous years.

t i m p i n n e g a r managing director, asiatimpinnegar@economist.com

“Strong growth in non-print revenues, coupled with tight cost control, fed through into creditable top- and bottom-line performances”

11

europe,middleeastandafrica(emea)

As in other parts of the world, more people are reading The Economist on their tablet or phone as well as in print. Total circulation grew slightly in EMEA, driven by digital—subscriber numbers for our digital editions rose 35% across the region. We expect this trend to continue. Advertiser interest reflects this shift and advertising revenue in digital editions grew by 44% compared with the prior year.

Advertising revenues at Intelligent Life rose 17% globally. Out-side EMEA, Intelligent Life ran as supplements this year within The Economist in Asia and America.

Our clients are keen to reach our readers through methods be-sides traditional advertising. Association with interesting and useful content is one route which we offer through sponsor-ship of our thought-leadership studies (under the Economist Intelligence Unit brand) and Economist Events. We have now developed a global database of over half a million individu-als who have participated in a thought-leadership programme or attended an event and who have requested reports from us. This allows us to distribute research findings among our audience more effectively. Successful programmes this year included a study of how educational systems and achieve-ment differ around the world, which won widespread media attention. In the events area, we are seeing particularly good progress with our conferences in Africa as business interest in the continent grows.

Last year we acquired TVC, a marketing communications agen-cy, as part of our response to these changes in advertising clients’ needs. We integrated TVC’s services into a number of programmes for our clients while the business also progressed through its own momentum. TVC handled broadcast media re-lations for Felix Baumgartner’s record high-altitude jump on behalf of its client, Red Bull, and helped generate extensive coverage on television and online. TVC was named digital con-

sultancy of the year by a PR industry website, The Holmes Re-port, following the success of this, and other, projects.

EuroFinance weathered conditions well, despite some slow-down in training and delegate revenues as clients sought to reduce costs. The major annual international conference de-livered record sponsorship revenue and a new service, a mem-bership group for treasurers called the Corporate Treasury Net-work, now has over 1,000 members.

During the year we merged the teams looking after our business in the UK with those covering continental Eu-rope, the Middle East and Africa. The new structure employs fewer people and makes co-ordination across the region easier. Operating leanly and efficiently will help us as we grapple with sluggish economic conditions and a changing media landscape.

In April this year we sold European Voice to the parent company of a long-standing partner in France, Development institute international.

Although advertising has been affected by the drop in business confidence across the region and changing priorities among advertisers, reader interest in The Economist is undiminished. Our plan focuses on the opportunity to build better margins from circulation while we continue to develop the range of marketing services through which we help clients reach our valued audience.

n i g e l lu d lo wmanaging director, emeanigelludlow@economist.com

“Our plan focuses on the opportunity to build better margins from circulation”

12

cqrollcall

CQ Roll Call continues as market leader for news and informa-tion on Congress, as well as those trying to reach Congress.

In our core business, we took an exciting step by expanding from a strictly legislative focus and moving into the regulatory space through a significant partnership with Thomson Reuters. The initial areas of coverage for this extension of our briefings series are securities, banking and energy, which will be sold through Thomson Reuters’ WestlawNext platform, and we ex-pect to expand our coverage in the coming year. Although we

remain committed to retaining our market-leading position in the legislative business, we are excited about the opportun-ities created by expansion into this new market.

In our advocacy and engagement business, we launched CQ Engage, our transformative entrant into the market. Not only does this product leapfrog our competitors in terms of ease of use and integration with social media; it also allows us to offer additional services to our customers so that they can provide more information and functionality on their websites. For in-stance, using CQ Engage, our customers can design websites that include newsfeeds relevant to their area of interest and

they can elicit, accept and then publish video and other con-tent from their grassroots constituents who want to share their stories. In addition, we relaunched our state product, adding extra state-regulation information and improving ease of use, as a result of which we are seeing continued growth in this market.

Although we have seen a significant decline in our advertising market, we are moving steadily away from a reliance on print advertising. Last autumn we combined our two dailies, creat-

ing a more powerful Roll Call publication and website, designed to expand our reach, frequency and usage. Since the relaunch, the website’s average number of monthly visitors has risen by 25%. This increase is particularly impressive as political websites experienced a decrease in the post-elec-

tion period. We expect print advertising to be less than 10% of our business in the coming year, down from nearly a third just three years ago.

We expect a jump in legislative activity during the coming year, as the focus shifts away from elections to lawmaking, and we plan to capitalise on this opportunity with our new products.

ke i t h w h i t e managing director and evp, cq roll callkeithwhite@cqrollcall.com

“In our core business, we took an exciting step by expanding from a strictly legislative focus and moving into the regulatory space”

reportandaccounts

report and accounts

16 Directors

17 Trustees, Board and management committees

18 Directors’ report

22 Directors’ report on remuneration

25 Financial review

27 Independent auditors’ report

28 Consolidated profit and loss account

29 Consolidated balance sheet

30 Consolidated cashflow statement

31 Other statements

32 Principal accounting policies

35 Notes to the financial statements

61 Notice of annual general meeting

16

directors

RupertPennant-ReaAppointed as non-executive chairman in July 2009, having served as a non-executive director since August 2006. Chairman of Royal London Group, and a non-executive director of Go-Ahead Group, Gold Fields, Times Newspapers and Hochschild Mining. Editor of The Economist from 1986 to 1993 and deputy governor of the Bank of England from 1993 to 1995.

AndrewRashbassAppointed Group chief executive in July 2008. Formerly publisher and managing director of The Economist.

SirDavidBellAppointed as a non-executive director in August 2005. He retired as an executive director of Pearson in May 2009 and as chairman of the Financial Times in December 2009. He is chairman of Sadler’s Wells.

JohnElkannAppointed as a non-executive director in July 2009. Chairman and CEO of EXOR, chairman of Fiat, Giovanni Agnelli e C and Editrice La Stampa, and a director of Fiat Industrial, SGS and Gruppo Banca Leonardo. Also vice-chairman of the Italian Aspen Institute and the Giovanni Agnelli Foundation, and recently appointed as a non-executive director of the new News Corporation.

RonaFairheadAppointed as a non-executive director in July 2005. Until April 30th 2013, chairman and chief executive of the Financial Times Group and an executive director of Pearson. Non-executive director of HSBC Holdings and the Cabinet Office of the UK government.

PhilipMengelAppointed as a non-executive director in July 1999. Operating partner of Snow Phipps Group and director of Orient Express Hotels. Previously chief executive officer of US Can Corporation, English Welsh & Scottish Railway and Ibstock.

JohnMicklethwaitAppointed as a director in May 2006, and editor of The Economist since April 2006, having joined the editorial staff in July 1987. Previously US editor. A trustee of the British Museum.

SirSimonRobertsonAppointed as a non-executive director in July 2005. Deputy chairman and senior independent director of HSBC Holdings, non-executive director of Berry Bros & Rudd, founder of Robertson Robey Associates and a trustee of the Royal Opera Endowment Fund.Former chairman of Rolls-Royce Holdings.

LadyLynnForesterdeRothschildAppointed as a non-executive director in October 2002. A non-executive director of the Estée Lauder Companies and a trustee of the Eranda Foundation, the Peterson Institute for International Economics and the McCain Institute for International Leadership.

ChrisStibbsJoined the company as Group finance director in July 2005, and also appointed as managing director of the Economist Intelligence Unit in April 2010. Previously a non-executive director of Motivcom and corporate development director of Incisive Media, finance director of the TBP Group and managing director of the FT Law and Tax Division.

LukeSwansonAppointed as a non-executive director in July 2011. Director of communications at Pearson and a member of the Pearson management committee. Previously a director of South African business publisher BDFM and of Interactive Data Corporation.

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BaronessBottomleyofNettlestonePC,DL Trustee since October 2005. Heads the board practice of Odgers Berndtson. Member of the House of Commons (1984-2005). Member of the Cabinet (1992-97), serving as Secretary of State, first for Health and then for National Heritage. Chancellor of the University of Hull, pro-chancellor of the University of Surrey and governor of the London School of Economics. Member of the UK Advisory Council of the International Chamber of Commerce and of the International Advisory Panel of Chugai Pharmaceutical. Non-executive director of BUPA and of Smith & Nephew.

LordO’DonnellCB,KCB,GCB Trustee since October 2012. Press secretary to Prime Minister John Major (1990-94). UK executive director on the boards of the IMF and the World Bank (1997-98). At the UK Treasury, appointed managing director of Macroeconomic Policy and International Finance in 1999, serving as Permanent Secretary from 2002 to 2005. Appointed to the House of Lords in 2012, having served three British prime ministers as Cabinet Secretary and Head of Civil Service from 2005 to 2011.

TimClark Trustee since December 2009. Deputy chairman of G3 and a non-executive director of Big Yellow Group. Board member of the National Theatre, senior adviser to Chatham House, vice-chair of Business for New Europe and a member of the International Chamber of Commerce UK Governing Body, the Development Committee of the National Gallery, the International Advisory Board of Uria Menendez and the Advisory Board of the Centre for European Reform. Former senior partner of Slaughter and May.

BryanSanderson Trustee since May 2006. Non-executive chairman of Cella Energy, chairman of the Florence Nightingale Foundation and of Home Renaissance Foundation, an emeritus governor of the London School of Economics and a director of Durham CCC.

ClaytonBrendishCBE Retired as a trustee in July 2012, having served since 1999.

AuditcommitteeSirSimonRobertson,chairman PhilipMengelRupertPennant-ReaLadyLynnForesterdeRothschild

RemunerationcommitteeRupertPennant-Rea,chairmanSirDavidBellJohnElkann

board commit tees

group management commit tee (gmc)

AndrewRashbassChrisStibbsJohnMicklethwait

SusanClarkManaging director, Economist Digital, and Group marketing director. Previously managing director, CEMEA. Joined the Group in July 2005 from Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts as global marketing director of The Economist.

OscarGrutGroup general counsel and company secretary. Previously also managing director, Digital Editions, then managing director, Economist Digital. Joined the company in 1998 from Linklaters.

NigelLudlowManaging director, EMEA. Joined the marketing team of The Economist in January 1984. Subsequently became global marketing director, then managing director of the Economist Intelligence Unit and later managing director, UK.

PaulMcHaleGroup HR director. Joined the company in 1999 from United Biscuits, where he was an HR manager at McVitie’s. Began his career at J Sainsbury.

TimPinnegarPublisher and managing director, Asia. Joined The Economist in May 2001 as regional sales manager, having worked for Leo Burnett Asia. He subsequently became publisher, Asia Pacific.

PaulRossiManaging director and EVP, Americas. Since joining the Group in 1987, he has held various roles, including advertising director, commercial director and publisher of The Economist in North America.

KeithWhiteManaging director and EVP, CQ Roll Call. Joined the Group in 2009 as associate director, CQ Roll Call, as part of Roll Call’s acquisition of Congressional Quarterly. Before that, he spent eight years as general manager and publisher of CQ in Washington, DC.

trustees

18

directors’ report

The directors present their report to shareholders, together with the audited consolidated financial statements, for the year ended March 31st 2013.

Developmentsandprincipalactivities The principal activities of the Group consist of publishing, the supply of business information, conferences, marketing services and the letting of property. Further information about the activities, developments and likely future developments of the Group are described on pages 4-12.

ResultsanddividendsThe profit after tax for the financial year to March 31st 2013 was £48.7m (2012: £47.2m). A final dividend of 88.7p per share (2012: 83.0p) is proposed for the year to March 31st 2013. Together with the interim dividend and the special dividend already paid, this makes a total proposed dividend for the year of 168.9p (2012: 160.5p). The final dividend will be paid on July 23rd 2013 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on June 18th 2013.

PropertyvaluesThe directors have been advised that the open-market value of the Economist Complex at March 31st 2013 was £70.9m; the balance-sheet value is £13.5m after deducting borrowings from finance leases. Based on this information, the directors consider that the aggregate market value of all the Group’s properties exceeds their book value.

Transactionswithrelatedparties Details of transactions with related parties, which are to be reported under FRS 8, are set out in the notes to the financial statements on page 52.

CharitableandpoliticaldonationsDuring the financial year, the Group made donations to charities amounting to £161,279 (2012: £158,162), and also provided services in kind (free advertising, for example) worth £78,410 (2012: £435,805).

DirectorsProfiles of the directors appear on page 16. All executive directors have contracts of employment.

Directors’indemnitiesThe company provides, to the extent permitted by law, an indemnity to all directors and officers of the company and its subsidiaries in respect of claims against them arising in respect of the conduct of the business of the Group. The company has also purchased directors’ and officers’ insurance cover against certain legal liabilities and costs for claims in connection with any act or omission by such directors and officers in the execution of their duties.

CorporateinformationThe share capital of the company is divided into ordinary shares, “A” special shares, “B” special shares and trust shares. The trust shares are held by trustees (who are described on page 17), whose consent is needed for certain corporate activities. The rights attaching to the trust shares provide for the continued independence of the ownership of the company and the editorial independence of The Economist. Apart from these rights, they do not include the right to vote, receive dividends or have any other economic interest in the company. The appointments of the editor of The Economist and of the chairman of the company are subject to the approval of the trustees, as are transfers of “A” special and “B” special shares.

The general management of the business of the company is under the control of the Board of directors. There are 13 seats allowable on the Board, seven of which may be appointed by holders of the “A” special shares and six by the holders of the “B” special shares. There are 102 “A” special shareholders. The “B” special shares are all held by The Financial Times Limited. John Elkann, John Micklethwait, Rupert Pennant-Rea, Sir Simon Robertson, Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild and Chris Stibbs were appointed by the “A” special shareholders. The “B” special shareholders appointed Andrew Rashbass, Sir David Bell, Rona Fairhead, Philip Mengel and Luke Swanson.

The ordinary shareholders are not entitled to participate in the appointment of directors, but in most other respects rank pari passu with the other shareholders. The transfer of ordinary shares must be approved by the Board of directors.

CorporategovernanceAs a private company, the company is not bound by the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority to report on compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, but has always sought to run its corporate affairs in line with best practice. It therefore follows the main principles of the UK Corporate Governance Code as closely as is felt to be reasonably practicable and useful to shareholders. The directors’ report, including the directors’ report on remuneration, which has been considered and approved by the Board, describes how the company has applied and complied with these principles, with the following main exceptions:

l Given the calibre and experience of the non-executive directors, the Board

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does not believe it is necessary to identify a senior independent director or to offer professional training to non-executive directors (although this would be available on request).

l The directors’ contracts of employment do not explicitly provide for compensation commitments in the event of early termination.

l Some shareholder meeting procedures do not comply.

l In view of the company’s unique capital structure which gives the “A” special and “B” special shareholders the right to appoint directors, the directors do not stand for re-election under the company’s articles of association. However, in June 2007 the Board decided that henceforth “A” special shareholders would be given the opportunity to vote on the renewal of the appointment of directors elected by them on each three-year anniversary of such appointments. This does not apply to the chairman.

l The Board does not undertake a formal evaluation of its performance or that of its committees and individual directors.

BoardThe Board currently comprises eight non-executive directors and three executive directors. The non-executive directors have a breadth of successful commercial and professional experience and they exercise independent judgment. Rona Fairhead was, until April 30th 2013, chairman and chief executive of the Financial Times Group and an executive director of Pearson plc. Luke Swanson is director of communications of Pearson plc. Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild and her

spouse, Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, as well as John Elkann, are each interested in a significant number of shares (see page 22). Details of directors’ interests and, in relation to the executive directors only, their interests in the employee share ownership trust, are given in the directors’ report on remuneration on pages 22-24.

The Board is chaired by Rupert Pennant-Rea and has met for regular business six times in the 12 months to March 31st 2013. The Board also convenes at other times on an ad hoc basis or in committee when events warrant. It is responsible for the overall direction and strategy of the Group and for securing the optimum performance from the Group’s assets. It also exercises control by determining matters specifically reserved for it in a formal schedule which only the Board may change: these matters include significant acquisitions and major capital expenditure. The Board carries out regular reviews of matters undertaken by management under delegated authority. The company’s articles of association require the approval of the trustees for some actions.

BoardcommitteesThe audit committee is made up of four non-executive directors. It is chaired by Sir Simon Robertson. The other members are Philip Mengel, Rupert Pennant-Rea and Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild. The committee assists the Board to ensure that the published financial statements give a true and fair view of the business and also to ensure reliable internal financial information. The committee is also responsible for reviewing the suitability and effectiveness of the Group’s internal financial controls, the work and findings of both internal and external

auditors, and key accounting policies and judgments. The remuneration committee is made up of three non-executive directors. It is chaired by Rupert Pennant-Rea, and the other members are Sir David Bell and John Elkann.

InternalcontrolThe Board is responsible for the company’s systems of internal control and considers that the company has put in place processes which follow closely the main recommendations of the Turnbull Committee and which focus on managing the Group’s key business risks.

The Group’s annual review of risk highlighted the following principal areas: changes to its markets (including the rise of digital reading, the migration of advertising spend to the internet and the commoditisation of information products, as well as competitive activity); the global shift of economic power from West to East; volatility of the surplus/deficit on the UK defined-benefit pension scheme; business continuity (including the breakdown of operational systems from external attack, the failure of key suppliers or a global disaster); the impact on our business of cybercrime attacks; brand and reputational risk (from libel action or infringement of the Group’s intellectual property rights); regulatory risk, such as changes to privacy or employment laws; and the financial operations of the company, specifically foreign exchange, cash management and tax. During the year, the Group has consolidated its efforts to achieve compliance with the UK Bribery Act, which came into effect on July 1st 2011. The Group has carried out a thorough risk assessment and

20

confirmed that it has adequate anti-bribery procedures in place covering staff, suppliers and agents. Theinternal financial control system has been designed and developed over a number of years to provide the Board with reasonable but not absolute assurance that it can rely upon the accuracy and reliability of the financial records, and its effectiveness has been reviewed by the Board. The control system includes the following key features:

l The Board reviews the Group’s strategy and long-term plan annually. The strategies of specific businesses are reviewed from time to time. Long-term goals are approved by the Board.

l A budgeting system which includes an annual budget and forward projections is approved by the Board. Monthly actual results are reported against the annual budget and monthly forecasts. The charts on pages 2 and 3 include some of the key performance indicators which are used to measure business performance. The company reports to shareholders at least twice a year.

l Financial policies and procedures exist and senior managers and finance staff are responsible for ensuring that all relevant staff are familiar with their application.

l Written treasury procedures cover banking arrangements, hedging instruments, investments of cash balances and borrowing procedures. These procedures include staff responsibilities, segregation of duties and levels of delegated authority for treasury matters.

l The company has an audit and risk management function which has a

dual role: it advises on and reviews the regular updating of business and bribery risk registers at both Group and business levels, and also carries out an independent risk-based programme of internal audit work in all parts of the Group. The audit manager reports to the Group finance director but also has direct access to the chairman of the audit committee. The manager attends all audit committee meetings and makes formal reports to the committee. The register of key business risks and mitigation actions are reviewed by the Board.

l The company has clearly defined guidelines for the review and approval of capital and development expenditure projects, which include annual budgets, project appraisals and designated levels of authority.

TheEconomistGroup’sguidingprinciplesThe Group operates in a clear and ethical context, and the Board has therefore approved the following guiding principles:

l We aim to offer insight, analysis and services that are valued by our customers.

l Underpinning our ability to fulfil this objective is our commitment to independence, integrity and delivering high quality in everything we do. These values govern our relationships with readers, customers and clients, shareholders, staff, suppliers and the community at large.

l We believe in conducting business with common decency. We are opposed to bribery and do not engage in corrupt practices. We abide by strict guidelines governing the acceptance of gifts and

the disclosure of potential conflicts of interest.

l As an international company, we conduct business in many different markets around the world. In the countries in which we operate, we abide by local laws and regulations. We make an active contribution to local charities by charitable giving. We encourage our people to participate in charitable and community activities and we permit them to take time off for this purpose. We match employee donations of time and money to charities.

l We respect environmental standards and comply with relevant local laws. We take environmental issues seriously. We review the environmental impact of our operations, specifically carbon emissions, annually. Plans to reduce or mitigate those emissions are ongoing.

l The Economist and its sister publications, Intelligent Life and The World In series, account for the majority of our annual spend on paper and printing. All suppliers of paper and print services used in producing these publications adhere to one or more of the following internationally recognised environmental standards: ISO 14001, FSC and PEFC.

l We value our colleagues and treat each other fairly. The Group is committed to equality of opportunity in all employment practices and policies. We do not discriminate against employees or job applicants based on the grounds of age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, colour, religion, national origin or disability. We support staff who through disability or illness are unable to perform their duties, by adapting the work environment and hours of work to

21

suit the employee where it is reasonable for the business.

l The Group is committed to increasing staff diversity. We particularly focus on ensuring that we recruit from the widest possible pool of talent. We are also keen that people feel comfortable and valued at work, regardless of their background. We recognise that it is essential to keep employees informed of the progress of the Group. We regularly provide employees with information on the Group’s activities and its financial performance through staff meetings and communication through our intranet. We have a strong consultative culture and we follow legal and regulatory requirements to consult with staff on major issues affecting the company.

PaymentofsuppliersThe company aims to pay all of its suppliers within a reasonable period of their invoices being received and within any contractually agreed payment period, provided that the supplier also complies with all relevant terms and conditions. Subsidiary companies are responsible for agreeing the terms on which they trade with their suppliers. Trade creditors as at March 31st 2013 for the company represented on average 26 days of purchases (2012: 33 days).

AnnualgeneralmeetingThe notice convening the annual general meeting, to be held at 12.15pm on Thursday July 18th 2013 at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, can be found on page 61.

IndependentauditorsA resolution to reappoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors to the company, and a further

resolution to authorise the directors to fix their remuneration, will be proposed at the annual general meeting.

AuditorindependenceIn line with best practice, the audit committee operates a policy that defines those non-audit services that the independent auditors may or may not provide to the Group. The policy requires the provision of these services to be approved in advance by the audit committee. A statement of the fees for audit and non-audit services is provided in note 3 on page 37.

DisclosureofinformationtoauditorsAs far as each of the directors is aware, there is no relevant information that has not been disclosed to the company’s auditors, and each of the directors believes that all steps have been taken that ought to have been taken to make them aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s auditors have been made aware of that information.

Statementofdirectors’responsibilitiesThe directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have prepared the Group and parent company financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group

and the company and of the profit or loss of the Group for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

l select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

l make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

l state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

l prepare the financial statements on the going-concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company and the Group will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and the Group and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and the Group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

By order of the Board OscarGrutSecretary June 18th 2013

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Directors’interestsasatMarch31st

Table1 2013 2012 Beneficialholdings “A” Special Ordinary “A” Special OrdinaryRupert Pennant-Rea 75,000 8,450 75,000 2,450 Andrew Rashbass 650 16,809 650 9,309Sir David Bell - - - -John Elkann1 - 1,190,000 - 1,190,000Rona Fairhead - - - -Philip Mengel - 4,250 - 4,250John Micklethwait 550 19,100 550 12,000Sir Simon Robertson - 4,800 - 4,800Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild2 240,440 3,841,548 240,440 3,841,548Chris Stibbs 250 15,989 250 8,889Luke Swanson - - - -Holdingasatrustee John Micklethwait3 - 97,500 - 97,500Rupert Pennant-Rea3 - 97,500 - 97,500Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild2 - 1,305,002 - 1,305,0021 Indirectly held by a company of which he is a director and chief executive officer.2 Includes the interests of her spouse, Sir Evelyn de Rothschild.3 Held as a joint trustee of the Marjorie Deane Financial Journalism Foundation.

Andrew Rashbass has the right to acquire 37,500 ordinary shares, and Chris Stibbs and John Micklethwait each have the right to acquire 22,500 ordinary shares, under the restricted share scheme described on the next page. All three exercised options granted under the restricted share scheme during the year.

The executive directors of the company, together with all employees, are beneficiaries of the company’s employee share ownership trust. As such, the directors are treated as interested in the 154,277 ordinary shares (2012: 163,629) held by the trustee of the trust.

ThecommitteeThe remuneration committee of the Board is made up of three non-executive directors: Rupert Pennant-Rea (chairman), Sir David Bell and John Elkann. The quorum necessary for the transaction of business is two members. The committee is responsible for the remuneration policy for senior executives of the Group and the policy and structure of Group bonus schemes. In determining remuneration, the committee follows a policy designed to attract, retain and motivate high-calibre executives, aligned with the interests of shareholders.

directors’ report on remuneration

23

(a)AnnualbonusplansExecutive directors and employees participated in annual bonus plans in which rewards were linked to Group performance and to the performance of key areas of the business which they could influence.

(b)Executivelong-termplanExecutive directors and some other senior employees were awarded performance units under the executive long-term plan. The units are equivalent in value to the company’s ordinary shares. After a three-year performance period, participants may receive payments depending on the Group’s performance against EPS hurdles and its total shareholder return compared with a selected group of companies.

(c)TheEconomisteditoriallong-termplanSome senior journalists who do not participate in the executive long-term plan participate in this three-year cash bonus scheme designed to help us retain key editorial staff. The size of the bonus pool is a percentage of Group cumulative operating profit at the end of three years. The amount paid to each participant is determined by the number of units awarded to the participant at the start of the three-year period. Payout is also contingent on the Group achieving an earnings hurdle.

(d)TheGrouplong-termplanSome senior staff who do not participate in the executive long-term plan participate in this three-year cash bonus scheme designed to help us retain key staff. The size of the bonus pool is a percentage of Group cumulative operating profit at the end of three years. The amount paid to each participant is determined by the number of units awarded to the participant at the start of the three-year period. Payout is also contingent on the Group achieving an earnings hurdle.

(e)RestrictedshareschemeThe Group also has in place a restricted share scheme under which a small number of key employees have been awarded a right to acquire ordinary shares at a nominal price between two and six years after the date of the award. The Group has the discretion to pay out shares or cash on exercise.

TheGroupoperatedanumberofannualbonusandlong-termbonusplansduringtheyear,providingperformance-basedbonusesforexecutivedirectorsandemployees.

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Directors’ remuneration and benefits are shown in the following table. Non-executive directors do not participate in any bonus scheme, any long-term incentive scheme or any of the company’s pension plans. This table shows salaries/fees, annual bonuses and benefits earned in and charged to the profit and loss account in the year unless otherwise noted. The table includes future and uncashed entitlements under both annual and long-term incentive schemes.

Table2RemunerationfortheyearsendedMarch31st Salary/fees Annual bonus Long-term plan1 Benefits Total 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2012 Restated £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000Rupert Pennant-Rea 126 - - - 126 126Sir David Bell 38 - - - 38 38John Elkann 38 - - - 38 38Rona Fairhead2 38 - - - 38 38Philip Mengel 44 - - - 44 44John Micklethwait 326 170 37 16 549 594Andrew Rashbass 451 467 59 16 993 1,000Sir Simon Robertson 44 - - - 44 44Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild 38 - - - 38 38Lord Stevenson - - - - - 12Chris Stibbs 310 194 39 13 556 553Luke Swanson2 38 - - - 38 22Total 1,491 831 135 45 2,502 2,5471 The long-term plan bonus relates to awards made in 2010 under an incentive plan which vested over a three-year period ending March 31st 2013, and which will pay out following the end of the vesting period. The 2012 comparative has been restated because previously the long-term plan bonus represented the amount paid in the year.2 Paid to The Financial Times Limited/Pearson.

Directors’accruedpensionsThe pensions which would be paid annually on retirement at age 65 based on service with the company to March 31st 2013 are shown below. The table does not include any additional voluntary contributions or any resulting benefits.

Table3 Age Accrued pension Accrued pension at March 31st 2013 at March 31st 2013 at March 31st 2012 Change John Micklethwait 50 £128,486 £125,720 £2,766Andrew Rashbass 47 £94,663 £92,625 £2,038Chris Stibbs The company contributed £35,650 to the defined-contribution scheme (2012: £33,758)

directors’ remuneration

25

OperatingresultOperating profit for the Group was £67.5m, slightly ahead of last year.Revenues decreased by 4% to £346.0m. Print advertising, which has a high margin, declined by £22.3m or 22%. This was partly offset by growing sales of digital products and the Group’s ongoing diversification, including the TVC and healthcare acquisitions made since March last year. There was also one fewer issue of The Economist compared to the previous year, reducing newspaper circulation revenues by 2%.

CostsCosts decreased by 5% during the year. Significant restructuring took place in EMEA and the Americas, creating one-off costs of £4.4m but saving more than that in the year. The savings will be ongoing. Across the Group 200 positions were removed (one in eight of the total). As the print business shrinks, production and distribution costs reduce. The Group spent less on marketing, partly in response to the difficult trading environment but also because it held back activity while refining its circulation strategy.

ProfitbeforetaxProfit before tax fell by 1% to £64.0m, with net finance costs increasing by £0.9m to £3.5m. Finance income from the defined-benefit pension scheme, calculated using FRS 17 valuation principles, fell by £0.7m. Net bank and other interest costs increased by £0.2m in part because of higher levels of debt in 2012-13, associated with the three acquisitions made since March 2012.

TaxationThe effective rate of taxation for the

year was 23.9% (2012: 27.0%). The underlying rate was 24.8% compared with 25.9% last year, benefiting from the 2.0% reduction in UK tax rates which was partially offset by higher US profits taxed at higher rates.

ProfitaftertaxandearningspershareProfit after tax increased by 3% to £48.7m, as did basic earnings per share, which rose to 194.4p.

BalancesheetThe Group’s balance sheet remains strong. At March 31st 2013 assets included intangibles of £116.2m, an increase of £10.5m compared with last year, because of strategic acquisitions. The Economist Complex is reported at historic cost (£16.0m) rather than its current market value (£70.9m) and the balance sheet included cash of £38.7m. Liabilities included income received in advance from customers (£108.0m) and long-term debts of £63.0m. Shareholders’ funds showed a deficit of £11.4m, larger than the £4.6m deficit reported last year because of a further increase in the net liability position of the defined-benefit pension scheme (see below).

Net debt at the year end stood at £27.9m (2012: £13.9m). The increase was a result of two further acquisitions, the progressive dividend policy and the timing of working-capital flows. PensionsThe Group operates a number of pension schemes. These include the UK defined-benefit plan, which is the only scheme of its type in the Group. At March 31st 2013 this plan, valued under FRS 17 principles, had a deficit of £22.0m, net of deferred tax (2012: £10.0m).

financial review

Since last year, gross liabilities have increased by £43.1m largely because of lower corporate-bond rates and, therefore, the discount rate used to value scheme liabilities. This was offset by growth of £27.7m in gross scheme assets and an additional recognised deferred tax asset of £3.4m. DividendThe Group continues to review the feasibility of paying special dividends each year in the light of cashflows, trading conditions and the investment needs of the business. This annual assessment led to the payment of a special dividend of £10.0m in December 2012 along with the interim dividend. The special dividend (40.0p per share), when added to the interim dividend (40.2p per share) and last year’s final dividend (83.0p per share), brought the total paid in the year to 163.2p (2012: 156.0p). It represented an increase of 5% over 2012 and a yield of 6.3%. The total dividend was covered 1.2 times by basic earnings per share (2012: 1.2 times) while the ongoing dividend, excluding the special dividend, was covered 1.6 times (2012: 1.6 times).

TreasuryandtreasurypolicyThe objectives of our treasury policies remain the same. They are to identify, monitor and manage financial risks, including foreign-exchange and interest-rate exposures, and to maintain strong control of loan and cash balances. The latter includes policies to manage the insolvency risk for counterparties that hold our deposits. Treasury policies are agreed by the Board and implemented on a day-to-day basis by the central UK treasury department. A treasury committee, which includes two

26

executive directors, provides guidance and monitors treasury activities. The treasury department acts as a cost centre rather than a profit centre. The Group had net borrowings of £25.4m at the year end (2012: £11.4m), excluding the finance lease liability for the Economist Complex.

At the year end the Group had access to significant unused borrowing facilities at favourable rates. These total £95.1m and include revolving multi-currency credit facilities with Barclays for £40.0m and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) for £9.0m, to be used for acquisitions and general corporate purposes, plus unused term loan facilities dedicated to acquisitions of £25.1m with Barclays and £21.0m with RBS. The facilities incur non-utilisation fees of 0.5% and, if drawn, incur interest at LIBOR plus 1.25%. At present the Group has a term loan of £4.9m from Barclays which was used to fund its purchase of Bazian Limited.

At the year end the Group alsohad three unsecured US dollar-denominated loans in place totalling $90.5m (2012: $101.5m). There was $3.0m outstanding on the fixed-term loan with Barclays, taken out to finance the acquisition of Capitol Advantage in 2008. It bears interest at US LIBOR plus 3.0%, with 50% of the LIBOR element swapped out at a rate of 2.19%. There was also $2.5m outstanding on the fixed-term loan secured with RBS last year, which bears interest at a fixed rate of 3.15%. Both loans are repayable in July 2013. The majority of the borrowings relate to loan notes totalling $85.0m taken out with Pricoa

to fund the CQ acquisition in 2009. These notes bear interest at between 7.72% and 7.93% and are repayable between 2015 and 2020.

Cash and deposits at March 31st 2013 totalled £38.7m (2012: £51.4m). Our policy is to deposit cash not required as working capital as soon as practicable, in AAA- and AA-rated money-market funds. These funds were earning 0.4% for sterling deposits and 0.12% for US-dollar deposits at the year end. Counterparty limits approved by the treasury committee and notified to the Board are used to manage the risk of loss on deposits. The Group has not experienced any losses to date on its deposited cash.

The main currency exposure of business transactions relates to US-dollar receipts from sales in the United States. The foreign-exchange risk on this and other smaller currency exposures is managed by the treasury department, mainly through the use of forward foreign-exchange contracts and currency options and through funding US acquisitions with US dollar-denominated loans. Foreign-exchange risk is only actively managed on currencies where the net exposure exceeds the equivalent of £3m per year. At present this applies only to US dollars. The split of net cash balances between dollars, euros and sterling is kept under review. The Group does not hedge the translation of overseas profits, assets or liabilities into sterling.

Other financial assets that potentially subject the Group to credit risk consist principally of trade debtors. The concentration of credit risk associated

with debtors is minimised due to distribution over many customers in different countries and in different industries.

CashflowThe Group produced operating cashflow of £59.9m during the year, representing 89% of reported operating profit. This is less than the £70.4m and 105% reported last year, mainly associated with lower cost accruals and the timing of payments and receipts. There was a cash outflow before financing of £11.3m, reflecting normal capital expenditure, interest, tax, acquisitions and ongoing and special dividends. This was worse than last year’s inflow of £4.1m because of lower operating cashflow and higher tax payments, which were reduced in earlier years by the utilisation of losses.

InternationalFinancialReportingStandardsAs a private company, the Group is currently able to decide whether to adopt International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The Group has considered the potential impact of adoption and the Board is aware that there will be a mandatory change in GAAP by the year ending March 31st 2016. At present the Board does not believe that immediate adoption would be in the interests of the shareholders, especially given that new UK accounting standards were formally released in March this year and require review and assessment. The Board is committed to ensuring that adoption takes place in the required time frame.

ChrisStibbs

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We have audited the Group and parent company financial statements (the ‘‘financial statements’’) of The Economist Newspaper Limited for the year ended March 31st 2013, which comprise the consolidated profit and loss account, the consolidated and parent company balance sheets, the consolidated cashflow statement, the consolidated and parent company statements of total recognised gains and losses, the consolidated reconciliation of movements in shareholders’ funds and the related notes. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

RespectiveresponsibilitiesofdirectorsandauditorsAs explained more fully in the statement of directors’ responsibilities set out on page 21, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the company’s members as a body in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or

to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come, save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

ScopeoftheauditofthefinancialstatementsAn audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the Group’s and parent company’s circumstances and have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the directors; and the overall presentation of the financial statements. In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information in the directors’ report to identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial statements. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies, we consider the implications for our report.

OpiniononfinancialstatementsIn our opinion, the financial statements:

l give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and the parent company’s affairs as at March 31st 2013 and of the Group’s profit and cashflows for the year then ended;

l have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

independent auditors’ report to the members of the economist newspaper limited

l have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

OpiniononothermattersprescribedbytheCompaniesAct2006In our opinion the information given in the directors’ report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.

MattersonwhichwearerequiredtoreportbyexceptionWe have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

l adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

l the parent company’s financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

l certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or

l we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

PhilipStokesSeniorStatutoryAuditorForandonbehalfofPricewaterhouseCoopersLLPChartered Accountants and Statutory AuditorsLondonJune19th2013

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consolidated profit and loss account

YearsendedMarch31st 2013 2012 NOTE £000 £000 1 Turnover Continuing operations 343,792 361,795 Acquisitions 2,169 - 345,961 361,795 Cost of sales (99,326) (100,264) Grossprofit 246,635 261,531 Distribution costs (36,622) (38,021) Marketing, development and other administrative costs (135,730) (150,462) 10 Goodwill amortisation (6,778) (5,749) 1 Operatingprofit Continuing operations 67,834 67,299 Acquisitions (329) - Profitonordinaryactivitiesbeforefinancecharges 67,505 67,299 2 Net finance costs (3,513) (2,638) 1,3 Profitonordinaryactivitiesbeforetaxation 63,992 64,661 6 Taxation on profit on ordinary activities (15,306) (17,427) Profitfortheyear 48,686 47,234 18 Retainedprofitforthefinancialyear 7,815 8,176 Dividends proposed and unpaid at the year end were £22,216,000 (2012: £20,780,000). Dividends paid in the year were £40,871,000 (2012: £39,058,000). 9 Basicearningspershare(pence) 194.4 188.7 9 Diluted earnings per share (pence) 193.6 188.2 7 Dividends paid per share (pence) 163.2 156.0 Dividend cover (times) 1.2 1.2

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consolidated balance sheet at march 31st

2013 2012 NOTE £000 £000 Fixedassets 10 Intangible assets 116,242 105,723 11 Tangible assets 28,329 25,640 144,571 131,363 Currentassets 12 Stocks 2,193 1,952 13 Debtors 67,740 64,877 14 Deferred taxation 2,348 4,587 19 Cash at bank and in hand 38,705 51,413 110,986 122,829 15 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (71,668) (79,674) Unexpired subscriptions and deferred revenue (108,001) (108,363) Netcurrentliabilities (68,683) (65,208) Totalassetslesscurrentliabilities 75,888 66,155 16 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (63,030) (58,566) Netassetsexcludingpensionandotherpost-retirementobligations 12,858 7,589 20 Pension and other post-retirement obligations (net of deferred tax) (24,221) (12,162) 1 Netliabilities (11,363) (4,573) Capitalandreserves 17 Called-up share capital 1,260 1,260 18 Profit and loss account (12,623) (5,833) Totalshareholders’deficit (11,363) (4,573) The company balance sheet is shown on page 56. The consolidated financial statements on pages 28-60 were approved by the Board of directors and authorised for issue on June 18th 2013. They were signed on its behalf by: RupertPennant-Rea ChrisStibbs Directors The notes on pages 35-60 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

The Economist Newspaper Limited registered number 236383

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consolidated cashflow statement

YearsendedMarch31st 2013 2012 NOTE £000 £000 19 Netcashinflowfromoperatingactivities 59,941 70,441 Returnsoninvestmentsandservicingoffinance Interest received 81 376 Interest paid (5,337) (5,666) Debt issue costs - (833) Finance lease interest paid (208) (208) (5,464) (6,331) Taxation UK corporation tax paid (11,643) (6,781) Overseas tax paid (1,236) (1,717) (12,879) (8,498) Capitalexpenditureandfinancialinvestment Purchase of tangible fixed assets (2,508) (2,357) Acquisitionsanddisposals 24 Purchase of subsidiary undertakings (10,983) (11,269) 24 Cash acquired with subsidiary undertakings 1,415 925 Cash received from sale of business - 213 (9,568) (10,131) Equitydividendspaidtoshareholders 7 Amounts paid (40,871) (39,058) Netcash(outflow)/inflowbeforeuseofliquidresourcesandfinancing (11,349) 4,066 Managementofliquidresources 19 Cash drawn from short-term deposits 7,555 6,994 Financing Capital element of finance lease payments (2) (2) Sale/(purchase) of own shares 232 (2) Drawdown of unsecured loan facility 39,900 22,000 Repayment of unsecured loan facility (41,920) (28,806) 19 (Decrease)/increaseinnetcash (5,584) 4,250 Reconciliationofnetcashflowtomovementinnetdebt (Decrease)/increase in cash in the year (5,584) 4,250 Cash inflow from decrease in liquid resources (7,555) (6,994) Cash outflow from decrease in lease financing 2 2 Cash outflow from debt financing 2,020 6,806 Changeinnetdebtresultingfromcashflows (11,117) 4,064 Other non-cash changes (81) (81) Exchange translation differences (2,726) (130) Movement in net debt in the year (13,924) 3,853 Net debt brought forward at April 1st (13,948) (17,801) 19 NetdebtcarriedforwardatMarch31st (27,872) (13,948) Cash and deposits at March 31st 2013 amounted to £38,705,000 (2012: £51,413,000).

The notes on pages 35-60 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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other statements

Statementoftotalrecognisedgainsandlosses YearsendedMarch31st 2013 2012 NOTE £000 £000 Profit for the financial year 48,686 47,234 Exchange translation differences arising on consolidation 920 162 20 Actual return less expected return on pension scheme assets 12,986 (2,789) 20 Experience (loss)/gain arising on the pension scheme liabilities (538) 999 20 Changes in assumptions underlying the present value of pension scheme liabilities (32,631) (30,684) Actuarial (loss)/gain on other post-retirement benefits (281) 271 UK tax attributable to the actuarial loss 4,707 7,730 Totalrecognisedgainsfortheyear 33,849 22,923

Reconciliationofmovementsintotalshareholders’deficit YearsendedMarch31st 2013 2012 £000 £000 Profit for the year 48,686 47,234 Dividend paid (40,871) (39,058) Retained profit 7,815 8,176 18 Other recognised losses (15,757) (24,473) 18 Net sale/(purchase) of own shares 232 (2) 18 Exchange translation differences arising on consolidation 920 162 Netdeductionfromshareholders’funds (6,790) (16,137) Opening shareholders’ (deficit)/funds (4,573) 11,564 Closingshareholders’deficit (11,363) (4,573) Noteofhistoricalcostprofitsandlosses As the financial statements are based on the historical cost convention, no separate statement of historical cost profits and losses is necessary. There is no material difference between the profit on ordinary activities before taxation and the profit for the year stated above and their historical cost equivalents.

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principal accounting policies

A summary of the more important Group accounting policies is set out below.

BasisofaccountingThe financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and applicable accounting standards in the United Kingdom.

BasisofconsolidationThe consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the company (The Economist Newspaper Limited) and its subsidiary undertakings (the Group/The Economist Group) made up to March 31st. The results of subsidiaries acquired are included in the consolidated profit and loss account from the date control passes.

A subsidiary’s assets and liabilities that exist at the date of acquisition are recorded at their fair values, reflecting their condition at that date. Any changes in fair value to those assets and liabilities, and the resulting gains and losses, that arise after the Group has gained control of the subsidiary are charged to the post-acquisition profit and loss account. Acquisitions are accounted for using the acquisition method.

Where the Group or company owns a non-controlling interest, held for the long term, in the equity share capital of another company, and is in a position to exercise significant influence over that company, the interest is equity-accounted and the company treated as an associated undertaking. Otherwise, the interest is accounted for as either a fixed or current asset investment.

TurnoverTurnover represents sales to third parties from circulation, subscriptions,

advertising, sponsorship, research, marketing services, delegate fees and rental income net of advertising agency commissions and trade discounts, and excluding intra-Group sales, value-added tax and other sales-related taxes.

Circulation and advertising revenue relating to a newspaper or other publication is recognised on the date of publication, or, in the case of free publications, the date of dispatch. Subscription revenues, whether from print circulation, digital or online, are recognised in the profit and loss account over the period of the subscription. Sponsorship and delegate revenue arising in the year relating to future events is deferred until those events have taken place.

On certain contracts for the sale of digital editions of The Economist, where a third-party company acts as a principal, revenue recognised by the Group represents the royalty or commission received from this third-party company. Where the Group acts as principal, subscription or circulation revenue is recognised gross of commission costs. Where a contractual arrangement consists of two or more separate elements that can be provided to customers either on a stand-alone basis or as an optional extra, turnover is recognised for each element as if it were an individual contractual arrangement.

Research revenues are generally derived from sales of economic, industry and management research products to clients. These revenues are accrued or deferred and recognised over the contract term in line with milestones or on delivery of the final product in accordance with the contract.

ForeigncurrenciesBalance sheets of subsidiary

undertakings have been translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance-sheet date.Exchange differences arising from the retranslation of the opening net investments to closing rates are recorded as movements on reserves. Exchange differences arising on the retranslation of borrowings taken out to finance overseas investments are taken to reserves, together with any tax-related effects. All other exchange differences are included in the profit and loss account. Profit and loss accounts and cashflows of subsidiary undertakings are translated into sterling at the average rate for the year.

The Group enters into forward currency and option contracts to hedge currency exposures. Losses or realised gains arising from the closing of contracts are included within the trading results for the year. Other gains or losses on open contracts are deferred.

Share-basedpaymentsThe Group awards certain employees entitlements to cash-settled share-based payments in accordance with its long-term incentive scheme arrangements. The fair value of these awards is measured and updated using an appropriate option pricing model. The key assumptions used in calculating the fair value of the awards are the discount rate, the Group’s share price volatility, dividend yield, risk-free rate of return and expected option life. These assumptions are set out in note 8. Management regularly performs a true-up of the estimate of the number of awards that are expected to vest. This is dependent on the anticipated number of leavers. In addition to the key assumptions above, the value of the awards is dependent upon the future profits of the Group and the Group’s relative market performance, which

33

management is required to estimate. A liability equal to the portion of the services received is recognised at the current fair value determined at each balance-sheet date.

GoodwillGoodwill arising on the acquisition of subsidiary undertakings, representing the excess of the fair value of the consideration given over the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired, is capitalised as an intangible asset and written off over its useful economic life. Goodwill arising on the acquisition of a foreign entity which has been funded by external borrowings is treated as an asset of the foreign entity and translated at the closing rate. Prior to April 1st 1998, purchased goodwill arising on consolidation was written off to reserves in the year in which it arose, in accordance with the accounting standards then in force. From April 1st 1998, the provisions of FRS 10 “Goodwill and intangible assets” have been adopted, and such goodwill for new acquisitions is now required to be shown as an asset on the balance sheet and amortised over its useful economic life. Goodwill arising on acquisitions before April 1st 1998 has been deducted from reserves and is charged to the profit and loss account on disposal or closure of the business to which it relates.

Goodwill is provided and written off on a straight-line basis over the acquisition’s useful economic life, which is generally estimated to be 20 years.

Where there has been an indication of impairment of goodwill, it is the Group’s policy to review its carrying value. In the case of goodwill previously written off directly against reserves, the impaired amounts are written back from

reserves and then written off against the profit and loss for the year.

Stocksandwork-in-progressStocks and work-in-progress are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost includes all direct expenditure. Deferred conference and research costs represent costs incurred for conferences planned to be held or research projects delivered after the balance-sheet date.

LeasedassetsWhere the Group has entered into finance leases, the obligations to the lessor are shown as part of the borrowings and the corresponding assets are treated as fixed assets. Leases are regarded as finance leases where their terms transfer to the lessee substantially all the benefits and burdens of ownership other than the right to retain legal title. Depreciation is calculated in order to write off the amounts capitalised over the estimated useful lives of the assets by equal annual instalments. Rentals payable under finance leases are apportioned between capital and interest, the interest portion being charged to the profit and loss account and the capital portions reducing the obligations to the lessor.

Costs in respect of operating leases are charged on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Operating lease incentives received are initially deferred and subsequently recognised over the minimum contract period as a reduction of the rental expense. Rental income is recognised on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Provision is made for onerous lease rentals payable on empty properties and where letting receipts are anticipated to be less than cost.

Provision is made for the period that the directors consider that the property will remain unlet or unutilised, or to the extent that there is a shortfall in net rental income. The time value of money in respect of onerous lease provisions has been recognised by discounting the future payments to net present values.

InvestmentsInvestments held as fixed assets are included at cost, less provisions for diminution in value.

ShareschemesShares held by the employee share ownership plan (ESOP) are shown at cost and recorded as a deduction in arriving at shareholders’ funds. The fair market value of shares granted to employees is charged to the profit and loss account over the period to which the employee’s performance relates.

TradedebtorsTrade debtors are stated at their carrying value less provision for bad and doubtful debts and anticipated future sales returns.

TaxationCurrent tax, including UK corporation tax and foreign tax, is provided at amounts expected to be paid (or recovered), using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance-sheet date.

DeferredtaxationDeferred taxation is provided, using the liability method, at the expected applicable rates, on all timing differences between accounting and taxation treatments which are expected to reverse in the foreseeable future.

No provision is made for any additional taxation which would arise on the remittance of profits retained, where

34

there is no intention to remit such profits. A deferred tax asset is only recognised to the extent that it is more likely than not that there will be taxable profits from which the future reversal of the timing differences can be deducted.

UnexpiredsubscriptionsanddeferredrevenueUnexpired subscriptions represent the amount of subscription monies received in advance of supplying the publication or service, and which therefore remain a liability to the subscriber. Deferred revenue represents all other payments received in advance of services being provided, primarily conference fees, custom research and rental income.

Pensionandotherpost-retirementbenefitsContributions to pensions under defined-contribution schemes are recognised as an employee benefit expense in the profit and loss as and when they are due.

For the defined-benefit and post-retirement medical schemes, pension scheme assets are measured using fair values and the liabilities are measured using a projected unit method and

discounted at the current rate of return on a high-quality corporate bond of equivalent term to the liability. The pension scheme deficit is recognised in full, net of deferred tax, and presented on the face of the balance sheet. The movement in the scheme deficit is split between operating and financial items in the profit and loss account and the statement of total recognised gains and losses. The full service cost of the pension provision is charged to operating profit. The net impact of the unwinding of the discount rate on scheme liabilities and the expected return of the scheme assets is charged to other finance costs. Any difference between the expected return on assets and that actually achieved is charged through the statement of total recognised gains and losses. Similarly, any differences that arise from experience or assumption changes are charged through the statement of total recognised gains and losses.

FinancecostsFinance costs which are directly attributable to the cost of construction of a tangible fixed asset are capitalised as part of the costs of that tangible fixed asset.

Tangiblefixedassets Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. The cost of leasehold assets includes directly attributable finance costs. Depreciation is provided to write off cost over the asset’s useful economic life as follows:

Asset type Depreciation method Depreciation rate per year

Long and short leasehold property Straight-line basis Duration of lease

Fixtures and fittings Straight-line basis 7-14%

Plant and machinery Straight-line basis 10-33%

Equipment Straight-line basis 14-50%

Motor vehicles Straight-line basis 25%

Major software systems Straight-line basis 20-33%

Assets under construction No depreciation 0%

WebsitedevelopmentcostsDesign and content costs are capitalised only to the extent that they lead to the creation of an enduring asset delivering benefits at least as great as the amount capitalised. If there is insufficient evidence on which to base reasonable estimates of the economic benefits that will be generated in the period until the design and content are next updated, the costs of developing the design and content are charged to the profit and loss account as incurred.

SegmentalinformationThe results of Washington-based CQ Roll Call have been included in the Americas regional business segment as disclosure of the turnover and operating profits of these businesses would, in the directors’ view, be seriously prejudicial to the commercial interests of the Group.

Prior year comparatives for operating profit by business have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation following the integration of the UK and CEMEA businesses into an EMEA division.

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notes to the financial statements

Turnover Operatingprofit 2013 2012 2013 2012 Restated RestatedAnalysisbybusiness £000 £000 £000 £000EMEA 116,195 120,035 26,062 26,967Americas and CQ Roll Call 149,369 164,408 23,159 27,601 Asia 33,993 33,930 5,331 2,441 The Economist Intelligence Unit 42,915 39,942 9,989 8,269Other businesses 3,489 3,480 2,964 2,021 345,961 361,795 67,505 67,299 Revenue reported above represents revenue generated from external customers, and inter-segment revenue has been eliminated. Other businesses include Ryder Street Properties (which owns and manages the Economist Complex in London) and the education business. The segmental analysis above includes the following in respect of acquisitions made during the year: Turnover Operatingprofit 2013 2012 2013 2012 Analysisbybusiness £000 £000 £000 £000 The Economist Intelligence Unit 2,169 - (329) - Turnover Profit/(loss)beforetax Net(liabilities)/assets 2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 2012Analysisbyoriginoflegalentity £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000United Kingdom 212,028 226,571 43,850 51,390 (52,687) (52,878)Europe 4,967 5,831 1,017 (343) (22,109) (386)North America 119,273 122,578 18,054 14,035 54,788 46,555 Asia 9,693 6,815 1,071 (421) 8,645 2,136 345,961 361,795 63,992 64,661 (11,363) (4,573)

The analysis by origin of legal entity above includes the following for acquisitions made during the year: Turnover Profit/(loss)beforetax Netassets 2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 2012 Analysisbyoriginoflegalentity £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 United Kingdom 603 - 68 - 6,727 -Asia 1,566 - (397) - 7,018 - 2,169 - (329) - 13,745 -

NOTE 1 Segmentinformation

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NOTE 2 Net finance costs

2013 2012 £000 £000Interest receivable 81 378 Interest payable and similar charges (5,856) (5,937)Other finance income 2,262 2,921 (3,513) (2,638)

Interest payable on bank overdrafts and loans (1,210) (1,456)Amortisation of issue costs of bank loan (81) (81)Interest payable on other loans (4,357) (4,192)Interest payable on finance lease (208) (208)Interest payable and similar charges (5,856) (5,937) Net return on pension scheme and other post-retirement liabilities 2,262 2,921Other finance income 2,262 2,921

NOTE 1 Segment information (continued) 2013 2012 Turnoverbycustomerlocation £000 £000United Kingdom 57,871 58,011North America 166,062 178,723Europe 60,999 67,072Asia 45,289 42,176Other 15,740 15,813 345,961 361,795 The turnover by customer location above includes the following for acquisitions made during the year: 2013 2012Turnoverbycustomerlocation £000 £000United Kingdom 603 -Asia 1,566 - 2,169 -

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NOTE 3 Profit on ordinary activities before taxation

2013 2012 Profitonordinaryactivitiesbeforetaxationisstatedafterchargingthefollowing: £000 £000Auditor’sremuneration Audit of the company’s annual accounts 130 125 Feespayabletothecompany’sauditoranditsassociatesforotherservices Audit of the company’s subsidiaries 296 260Further assurance services 21 77 Tax advice and compliance 143 245 Operatingleaserentals Plant and equipment 223 236Land and buildings 8,289 7,734

Depreciationandamortisation On owned assets 3,321 2,937On assets held by finance lease 55 55 Amortisation of goodwill 6,778 5,749The Group also incurred fees of £128,000 (2012: £131,000) in relation to due diligence services paid to its auditor, which have been capitalised as part of the acquisition.

NOTE 4 Directors’ emoluments

The details of directors’ emoluments are in table 2, page 24, within the directors’ report on remuneration.

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NOTE 5 Employees

The year-end and average monthly number of employees, including executive directors, was as follows: 2013 2012 Average Year-end Average Year-endEMEA 398 380 381 419Americas and CQ Roll Call 566 527 612 624Asia 156 152 148 159The Economist Intelligence Unit 269 283 266 258Other businesses 4 1 7 8 1,393 1,343 1,414 1,468

2013 2012Employmentcostsincludingexecutivedirectors’emoluments £000 £000Wages and salaries 99,268 102,401Social security costs 8,482 9,187Defined-benefit pension costs 3,390 3,077Other pension costs 3,444 3,454 114,584 118,119Wages and salaries include £4,447,000 (2012: £2,073,000) of restructuring-related costs.

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NOTE 6 Taxation on profit on ordinary activities 2013 2012Thetaxationchargebasedontheresultfortheyearismadeupasfollows: £000 £000UK corporation tax at 24% (2012: 26%) 10,220 13,090 Overseas taxation 3,865 3,170 UK deferred taxation 820 129 Overseas deferred taxation 965 359 15,870 16,748 Adjustmentsinrespectofpreviousyears UK corporation tax (744) (1,640) Overseas taxation (479) 762UK deferred taxation 444 906Overseas deferred taxation 215 651 15,306 17,427

Included within the deferred tax charge for the year is an FRS 17 charge of £120,000. The tax assessed for the year is lower (2012: higher) than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 24% (2012: 26%). 2013 2012Currenttaxratereconciliation % %UK tax rate 24.0 26.0 Expenses not deductible for tax purposes (0.6) (0.5)Depreciation in excess of capital allowances 0.1 0.5 Movement in provisions (1.0) 3.0 Overseas tax rates 1.9 0.9 Timing of goodwill amortisation 0.6 0.4Overseas tax losses (0.9) (1.6) FRS 17 pension movement - (2.0)Impact of Group financing (3.0) (3.2)Other 0.8 1.7 Adjustments to tax charge in respect of previous years (1.9) (1.4)Current tax rate reflected in earnings 20.0 23.8

Future tax charges will be affected by tax-rate and other legislative changes in the jurisdictions in which the Group operates.Changes to the geographical distribution of taxable profits and exchange rates will also affect future tax charges due to thedifferences in tax rates applicable in different countries.

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NOTE 7 Dividends

2013 2012Cashdividendspaid £000 £000Final dividend for previous year of 83.0p per share (2012: 78.5p per share) 20,780 19,654Interim dividend paid of 40.2p per share (2012: 37.5p per share) 10,070 9,389Special dividend paid of 40.0p per share (2012: 40.0p per share) 10,021 10,015 40,871 39,058

All shareholders other than holders of the trust shares (see note 17) receive the above dividend per share. Dividendsamounting to £255,000 (2012: £254,000) in respect of the company’s shares held by the ESOP (note 18) have been deductedin arriving at the aggregate of dividends paid.

2013 2012Dividendsproposedinrespectoftheyear £000 £000Interim dividend paid of 40.2p per share (2012: 37.5p per share) 10,070 9,389Special dividend paid of 40.0p per share (2012: 40.0p per share) 10,021 10,015 Final dividend proposed of 88.7p per share (2012: 83.0p per share) 22,216 20,780 42,307 40,184

The directors are proposing a final dividend in respect of the financial year ending March 31st 2013 of 88.7p. Dividends amounting to £137,000 in respect of the company’s shares held by the ESOP have been deducted in arriving at the total dividend proposed of £42,307,000. The proposed final dividend is subject to approval by shareholders and has not been recognised as a liability in these financial statements. NOTE 8 Share-based payments

The Economist Group operates the following share-based incentive schemes: CurrentplansExecutivelong-termplan Units are granted to executive directors and senior employees. These awards are taken in cash form only after three years. The value of the award is based on share price, the earnings per share compound annual growth rate and the Group’s total shareholder return (TSR) compared with a group of selected comparator companies over the period of the scheme. Restrictedsharescheme This scheme is for key employees who have been awarded a right to acquire ordinary shares at a nominal price between two and six years after the date of the award. The Group has the discretion to pay out shares or cash on exercise. The Group has recorded total liabilities at March 31st 2013 of £3,543,000 (2012: £5,024,000), of which £692,000 (2012:£1,145,000) relates to awards which had vested at the year end. The total expense recognised with respect to cash-settled,share-based payment transactions was £524,000 (2012: £2,661,000).

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NOTE 8 Share-based payments (continued)

The fair values of the long-term schemes were calculated using a Black Scholes option pricing model, except for the schemes including a TSR ranking performance condition, where a Monte Carlo model was used. The inputs to the models were as follows: At March 31st At March 31st 2013 2012Weighted average share price (£) 26.31 25.30Weighted average exercise price (£) 24.76 23.19Expected volatility (%) 33 34Expected life (months) 18 18Risk-free rate (%) 0.2 0.4Expected dividend yield (%) 4.4 4.3Forfeiture rate (%) 5.0 5.0

The expected volatility is determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Group’s share price over the previous ten years and by calculating the historical TSR volatility of the comparator group over the relevant life of the schemes. During the year, 389,000 long-term plan units (2012: 388,000) were granted with a weighted average fair value at March 31st of £5.86 (2012: £7.84). 209,000 long-term plan units (2012: 214,000) vested at March 31st, with a weighted average fair value at March 31st of £2.60 (2012: £4.78).

Special dividends are either included in the fair value calculation or reinvested as further units. At March 31st 2013 At March 31st 2012 Weighted average Weighted averageRestrictedsharescheme No. of options share price (£) No. of options share price (£)Outstanding at the beginning of the year 60,000 27.14 55,000 25.14Granted during the year 66,500 25.00 5,000 24.50Exercised during the year (27,500) (27.45) - -Outstanding at the end of the year 99,000 28.12 60,000 27.14Exercisable at the year end 2,500 28.71 15,000 27.40The weighted average remaining contractual life for outstanding options at March 31st 2013 was 21 months (2012: 16 months).

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NOTE 9 Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share are calculated on earnings of £48,686,000 (2012: £47,234,000) and the 25,200,000 ordinary andspecial shares in issue (2012: 25,200,000) less those held by the ESOP, being on average 154,000 shares (2012: 163,000),resulting in a weighted average number of shares of 25,046,000 (2012: 25,037,000). 2013 2012 Weighted average Earnings per Weighted average Earnings per Earnings number of shares share Earnings number of shares share £000 000s pence £000 000s penceBasicearningspershare 48,686 25,046 194.4 47,234 25,037 188.7

Diluted earnings per share are calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of shares to take account of shares held by the ESOP which are under option to employees. 2013 2012Weighted average number of shares (000s) 25,046 25,037 Effect of dilutive share options (000s) 99 60Weighted average number of shares (000s) for diluted earnings 25,145 25,097

NOTE 10 Intangible fixed assets Goodwill £000Cost At April 1st 2012 125,214Additions (note 24) 12,499Exchange translation differences 5,608 At March 31st 2013 143,321

Accumulatedamortisation At April 1st 2012 19,491 Charge for the year 6,778Exchange translation differences 810At March 31st 2013 27,079

NetbookvalueatMarch31st2013 116,242 Net book value at March 31st 2012 105,723

The goodwill arising on the acquisition of Clearstate Pte and Bazian Limited is being amortised on a straight-line basisover 20 years.

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NOTE 11 Tangible fixed assets

Leasehold buildings Plant and Long Short machinery Equipment TotalGroup £000 £000 £000 £000 £000CostAt April 1st 2012 35,229 4,010 2,795 29,675 71,709 Additions - 2,963 - 2,869 5,832 Acquisitions - 40 - 127 167Disposals - (2,061) (14) (1,651) (3,726)Exchange translation differences 265 109 - 438 812 At March 31st 2013 35,494 5,061 2,781 31,458 74,794

AccumulateddepreciationAt April 1st 2012 15,256 3,524 2,795 24,494 46,069 Provided during year 277 304 - 2,795 3,376 Acquisitions - 21 - 106 127Disposals - (2,060) (14) (1,531) (3,605)Exchange translation differences 75 95 - 328 498 At March 31st 2013 15,608 1,884 2,781 26,192 46,465

NetbookvalueatMarch31st2013 19,886 3,177 - 5,266 28,329 Net book value at March 31st 2012 19,973 486 - 5,181 25,640

The directors have been advised that the market value of the Economist Complex at March 31st 2013 was £70,900,000(2012: £69,350,000); the book value is £16,037,000 (2012: £16,313,000) and the balance-sheet value is £13,521,000 (2012:£13,795,000) after deducting the finance lease payable. Included within the cost of leasehold buildings is capitalised interestof £2,312,500 (2012: £2,312,500). Assets held under finance lease and capitalised in long leasehold buildings were: 2013 2012 £000 £000Costorvaluation 6,798 6,798Aggregate depreciation (1,464) (1,409)Net book value 5,334 5,389

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NOTE 12 Stocks 2013 2012 £000 £000Raw materials 1,282 1,259 Work-in-progress 852 637 Finished goods 59 56 2,193 1,952

NOTE 13 Debtors 2013 2012Duewithinoneyear £000 £000Trade debtors 49,226 47,541 Other debtors 4,674 4,456 Prepayments and accrued income 13,840 11,647 Tax recoverable - 1,233 67,740 64,877

Other debtors includes loan notes amounting to £2,572,000 (2012: £2,447,000) received in part consideration for the saleof the Group’s majority interest in the trade and assets of CFO Publishing Corporation (USA). There are two loan notes for$1,200,000 and $2,700,000 bearing interest at 15% and 5% respectively. The loan notes are redeemable on January 11th 2017and July 11th 2017.

NOTE 14 Deferred taxation Summaryofmovementsindeferredtaxasset £000At April 1st 2012 4,587Charge to the profit and loss account (2,324)Credited to other recognised gains for the year 57Exchange difference 28At March 31st 2013 2,348

The effect of the change in tax rates is to reduce the deferred tax asset by £81,000 (2012: £254,000).

The assets recognised for deferred taxation under the liability method are: 2013 2012 £000 £000Excess of depreciation over capital allowances 616 418Loss relief 437 1,160 Other timing differences 1,295 3,009 2,348 4,587

The Group has accumulated trading losses of £7,412,000 (2012: £7,082,000) in Asia. The Group has recognised Hong Kongtrading losses to the value of the losses expected to be used in the next three years. A deferred tax asset of £365,000 (2012: £945,000) has been recognised for carried-forward losses in the United States andAsia on the basis that forecast profits in those regions against which the tax asset can be recovered will arise. A deferred taxasset of £72,000 (2012: £215,000) has been recognised in respect of US state income tax losses carried forward.

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NOTE 15 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 2013 2012 £000 £000Bank loans and overdrafts (note 16) 3,546 6,794Trade creditors 11,015 13,948Other creditors including taxation and social security 27,158 24,051 Accruals 29,949 34,881 71,668 79,674 Other creditors including taxation and social security comprise: Corporation tax 9,193 11,527Other tax and social security payable 1,870 2,744Other creditors 16,095 9,780 27,158 24,051

NOTE 16 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year 2013 2012 £000 £000 Finance leases 2,515 2,5177.93% unsecured loan note 2019-20 16,357 15,498 7.72% unsecured loan note 2019-20 39,258 37,195 Term loan 4,900 - Unsecured bank loans - 3,356 63,030 58,566 Maturityofdebt In one year or less, or on demand 3,546 6,794 In more than one year, but not more than two years 9,995 3,356 In more than two years, but not more than five years 31,946 26,319 In more than five years 18,574 26,374 64,061 62,843

The Group has bank loans and loan notes of £64,061,000 as at March 31st 2013 (2012: £62,843,000). In January 2012, theGroup entered into a new revolving credit facility of £49m and a £51m term loan facility. Both of these facilities are unsecuredand have a five-year term. The revolving credit facility expires after five years. The term loan facility expires after five yearsunless it is not utilised during the first two years, in which case it expires. If it is utilised, it is repayable between threeand five years from the date the facility was established. At March 31st 2013, £4,900,000 had been drawn down from the term loan facility while the revolving credit facility was undrawn. The Group also has UK overdraft facilities which are subject to review in January 2017.

NOTE 14 Deferred taxation (continued)

Changes to the UK corporation tax rate were announced in the March 2012 Budget, including a reduction to the UK maincorporation tax rate from 26% to 24% which became effective on April 1st 2012 and was substantively enacted on March 26th2012. A further reduction to 23% is effective from April 1st 2013 and was substantively enacted on July 3rd 2012. The March 2013 Budget announced further changes which are expected to be enacted separately each year, and proposes to reduce the UK corporation tax rate to 21% effective from April 1st 2014 with a reduction to 20% by April 1st 2015. The relevant deferred tax balances have been remeasured to 23%, the rate enacted by the balance-sheet date.

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NOTE 16 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (continued)

The unsecured bank loans were taken out to finance the acquisition of Capitol Advantage LLC and are denominated in USdollars and bear interest based on US-dollar LIBOR plus 3.0% and a fixed rate of 3.15%. The Group has entered into a swaparrangement to fix LIBOR at 2.19% for 50% of the interest payable on one of its unsecured loans. The US dollar-denominatedloans were revalued at the closing exchange rate and resulted in an unrealised loss of £234,000 (2012: £13,750).

The company entered into a ten-year committed loan note arrangement in August 2009 to fund the acquisition ofCongressional Quarterly. The loan notes are repayable annually in equal instalments from the fifth to the tenth year afterinception. The unsecured loan notes were drawn down in two tranches and are stated net of unamortised issue costs of£514,000 (2012: £595,000). These costs, together with the interest expense, are all allocated to the profit and loss accountover the ten-year term of the facility at a constant carrying amount. The US dollar-denominated loan notes were valued at theclosing exchange rate and resulted in an unrealised loss of £2,924,000 (2012: £170,000).

2013 2012Maturityoffinanceleases £000 £000Future minimum payments under finance leases were as follows: Within one year 1 1In more than one year, but not more than two years 2 2In more than two years, but not more than five years 3 3After five years 2,510 2,512 2,516 2,518

The finance lease on the Economist Complex is repayable in quarterly instalments until 2111, at an interest rate of 4.3%.

NOTE 17 Equity share capital Authorised Issued and fully paid AtMarch31st2013and2012 Number £000 Number £000“A” special shares of 5p each 1,575,000 79 1,260,000 63“B” special shares of 5p each 1,575,000 79 1,260,000 63Ordinary shares of 5p each 36,850,000 1,842 22,680,000 1,134Trust shares of 5p each 100 - 100 - 2,000 1,260

FRS 4, “Capital Instruments”, requires the Group to provide a summary of the rights of each class of shares. This summary canbe found in the directors’ report on page 18. The trust shares participate in a distribution of capital only to a limited extent andaccordingly are not treated as equity share capital.

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NOTE 18 Reserves 2013 2012Consolidatedprofitandlossaccount £000 £000At April 1st (5,833) 10,304Retained profit for the year 7,815 8,176 Other recognised losses relating to the year (15,757) (24,473) Net sale/(purchase) of own shares 232 (2) Exchange translation differences arising on consolidation 920 162 At March 31st (12,623) (5,833)

The cumulative goodwill written off to profit and loss reserves by the Group is £17,943,000 (2012: £17,943,000) and arisesmainly from the purchase of Business International in 1986, CFO in 1988 and Roll Call, Inc in 1992 and 1993. A portion of thegoodwill relating to the acquisition of CFO Publishing Corporation (USA) in 1988, and previously written off to reserves, wascredited following the sale of the business in 2010. At March 31st 2013, there were 154,277 shares (2012: 163,629) of 5p each with a nominal value of £7,714 (2012: £8,181) inThe Economist Newspaper Limited (own shares) held by the ESOP. The ESOP provides a limited market for ordinary shares ofThe Economist Newspaper Limited to be bought and sold. Employees of the Group can apply to buy shares from the ESOP twicea year at the latest indicative share valuation, and all other shareholders can offer to sell their shares to the ESOP. A subsidiarycompany, The Economist Group Trustee Company Limited, acts as trustee of the ESOP and handles all share transactions. TheESOP has not waived its entitlement to dividends on these shares. At March 31st 2013, 99,000 (2012: 60,000) of the shares areunder option to employees and have been conditionally granted to them. The interest in own shares, included within reserves,is as follows: £000At April 1st 2012 1,535Net sale of own shares (232) At March 31st 2013 1,303

NOTE 19 Notes to the consolidated cashflow statement 2013 2012Reconciliationofoperatingprofittonetcashinflowfromoperatingactivities £000 £000Operating profit 67,505 67,299Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 3,376 2,992Goodwill amortisation 6,778 5,749Loss on sale of tangible fixed assets 121 -Increase in stocks (193) (122)Increase in debtors (1,135) (2,497)(Decrease)/increase in creditors (9,601) 2,537Decrease in unexpired subscriptions and deferred revenue (4,513) (2,955)Decrease in provisions (2,397) (2,562)Net cash inflow from operating activities 59,941 70,441

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NOTE 20 Pension and other post-retirement obligations

2013 2012Analysisofpensionandotherpost-retirementobligations(netofdeferredtax) £000 £000UK Group scheme (22,034) (10,037)Post-retirement benefits (2,187) (2,125) (24,221) (12,162)

The Group operates pension schemes for most of its employees throughout the world, which are funded by the Group. Themain scheme for UK staff who joined before 2003 (the UK Group scheme) provides funded defined benefits. The scheme hasa defined-contribution underpin and provides for those employees who joined before 2003, for the better of defined-benefitand defined-contribution benefits. Defined-contribution schemes are operated for UK and non-UK staff. In addition, the Groupprovides unfunded, unapproved pension arrangements in respect of certain current and former employees. The assets of eachscheme are held in separate trustee-administered funds with independent qualified actuaries or other professionals acting asadvisers. Actuarial valuations are undertaken at regular intervals. The UK Group scheme has been closed to new members since January 1st 2003; a defined-contribution scheme is now availableto new joiners. As a result, under the projected unit credit method, the current service cost is expected to increase as membersapproach retirement. The company contributed 18.3% of pensionable salaries to fund ongoing service costs during the yearand £350,000 to fund scheme expenses. The company also contributed £2,920,000 (2012: £1,920,000) in the year to repay the actuarial deficit which included a £1,000,000 lump-sum payment. The best estimate of contributions expected to be paid to thescheme in 2013-14 is £5,100,000. The most recent full actuarial valuation of the UK defined-benefit scheme was at January 1st 2010. This showed the marketvalue of assets of the main UK scheme to be £172,602,000. The actuarial valuation of pension liabilities was £180,750,000,leaving a deficit of £8,148,000. The actuarial method used for the valuation was the projected unit credit method. Theforegoing liabilities represent the Scheme Specific Funding Technical Provisions as agreed by the Group and the trustees. TheSSF level of funding was 95%. The January 2010 valuation was used as a basis for determining the ongoing company fundingrate, effective September 19th 2010. A valuation as at January 1st 2013 is in progress.

NOTE 19 Notes to the consolidated cashflow statement (continued) Other At April 1st non-cash Exchange At March 31st 2012 Cashflow Debt Acquisitions changes movement 2013Analysisofnetdebt £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000Cash in hand 23,383 (6,999) - 1,415 - 196 17,995Cash placed on short-term deposits 28,030 (7,555) - - - 235 20,710Total cash balances 51,413 (14,554) - 1,415 - 431 38,705Debt due within one year (6,794) - 6,920 - (3,438) (234) (3,546)Debt due after one year (56,049) - (4,900) - 3,357 (2,923) (60,515)Finance leases due within one year (1) 2 - - (2) - (1)Finance leases due after one year (2,517) - - - 2 - (2,515)Net funds (13,948) (14,552) 2,020 1,415 (81) (2,726) (27,872)

At March 31st 2013 cash balances included £2,746,000 (2012: £2,925,000) of deposits collected from tenants of the Group’sproperty business. This cash is only accessible in the event of the tenant defaulting.

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NOTE 20 Pension and other post-retirement obligations (continued)

The FRS 17 valuation reflects HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) rules relating to commutation of tax-free cash effective April 6th 2006. Past scheme experience indicates that the majority of retirees take the maximum level of cash available. Cash commutation factors, which are regularly reviewed by the trustees, were updated during the year to a factor of 16:1 at age 60 (2012: 15:1). The main overseas schemes and one UK scheme are based on defined contributions; amounts totalling £128,000 (2012:£325,000) were accrued in respect of these schemes at year end. UKGroupscheme The valuation of the UK Group scheme has been updated by independent actuaries to March 31st 2013. The major assumptionsused to determine this valuation are as follows: 2013 2012 2011 % % %Inflation 3.4 3.5 3.5Increase in pensionable salaries 3.4 3.5 3.5Increase in pensions in payment 3.3 3.3 3.3Increase in deferred pensions 2.8 2.9 3.0Discount rate for scheme liabilities 4.4 5.1 5.9

The mortality assumptions used in the valuation of the scheme are summarised in the table below, and have been selected to reflect the characteristics and the experience of the membership of the plan. This has been done by using SAPS1 light tables with longevity projection based on CMI 2011 and the year in which the member was born, with a 1% per-year underpin to future improvements (2012: PCA00 tables, medium cohort, year of birth). 2013 2012 years yearsLongevity at age 65 for current retirees - Men 88.8 87.5 - Women 90.0 89.9Longevity at age 65 for future retirees, current age 45 - Men 90.1 89.4 - Women 91.5 91.8The assets of the UK Group scheme and the expected rate of return on these assets, shown as a weighted average, are as follows: Long-term Long-term Long-term rate of return rate of return rate of return expected at Value at expected at Value at expected at Value at March 31st March 31st March 31st March 31st March 31st March 31st 2013 2013 2012 2012 2011 2011 % £000 % £000 % £000Equities 7.35 139,667 8.00 116,937 7.95 123,505Government and corporate bonds 3.33 70,712 3.93 67,270 4.96 54,490Property 6.85 26,222 7.00 25,294 7.95 18,682Other 2.47 2,467 2.90 1,886 3.80 2,166Total market value of assets 239,068 211,387 198,843Present value of scheme liabilities (267,684) (224,593) (184,705)(Deficit)/surplus in the scheme (28,616) (13,206) 14,138Related deferred tax asset/(liability) 6,582 3,169 (3,676)Net pension (deficit)/surplus (22,034) (10,037) 10,462

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NOTE 20 Pension and other post-retirement obligations (continued) 2013 2012Reconciliationoffairvalueofschemeassets £000 £000April 1st 211,387 198,843Expected return on scheme assets 13,849 14,125Actuarial gain/(loss) 12,986 (2,789)Employee contributions 645 738Disbursements (5,509) (4,583)Contributions paid by employer 5,710 5,053March31st 239,068 211,387

The expected return on scheme assets is determined by considering the expected returns available on the assets underlying thecurrent investment policy. Expected yields on fixed-interest investments reflect long-term real rates of return experienced inthe respective markets. The actual return on scheme assets in the year was £26,835,000 (2012: £11,336,000). 2013 2012Reconciliationofpresentvalueofschemeliabilities £000 £000April 1st (224,593) (184,705)Current service cost (3,390) (3,077)Employee contributions (645) (738)Interest cost (11,396) (10,972)Disbursements 5,509 4,583Actuarial loss (33,169) (29,684)March31st (267,684) (224,593) Sensitivityanalysisofschemeliabilities The sensitivity of the present value of the scheme’s liabilities to changes in the principal assumptions used is set out below: Change in assumption by Impact on scheme liabilities Inflation 0.5% 8.7% Pensionable salaries 0.5% 1.6% Pensions in payment 0.5% 6.8% Revaluation rate of deferred pensions 0.5% 2.1% Discount rate 0.5% 9.4%

If the average expected age of death of pensioners lengthened by one year, the liabilities of the scheme would increase by2.8% (2012: 2.5%). 2013 2012Analysisoftheamountchargedtooperatingprofit £000 £000Current service cost 3,390 3,077The total amount charged to operating profit is included within administrative expenses. 2013 2012Analysisoftheamountcreditedtootherfinanceincome £000 £000Expected return on pension scheme assets 13,849 14,125Interest on pension scheme liabilities (11,396) (10,972)Netincome 2,453 3,153

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NOTE 20 Pension and other post-retirement obligations (continued)

HistoryofexperiencegainsandlossesDifference between the actual and expectedreturn on scheme assets 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009Amount (£000) 12,986 (2,789) 2,621 34,139 (38,867)Percentage of scheme assets 5% (1%) 1% 19% (29%)Experience (losses)/gains on scheme liabilities Amount (£000) (538) 999 58 7,866 1,430Percentage of the present value of the scheme liabilities 0% 0% 0% 4% 1%Total actuarial (loss)/gain recognised in the statement of total recognised gains and losses Amount (£000) (20,183) (32,474) 6,164 2,289 (20,053)Percentage of the present value of the scheme liabilities (8%) (14%) 3% 1% (14%)

Since the adoption of FRS 17 in 2006 a cumulative net loss before taxation of £51,454,000 has been charged through thestatement of total recognised gains and losses in respect of actuarial revaluations of the pension scheme. Otherpost-retirementbenefits

The Group provides post-retirement medical benefits to certain former employees. At March 31st 2013, 51 retired and formeremployees (2012: 55) were eligible to receive benefits. As at March 31st 2013 the Group estimated the present value of itsaccumulated post-retirement medical benefits obligation to be £2,187,000 (2012: £2,125,000), net of deferred taxation.These liabilities were confirmed by a qualified independent actuary. The principal assumptions used in estimating thisobligation are healthcare premium cost escalation of 5.4% per year and a discount rate to represent the time value of money of4.40% (2012: 5.05%). Actual premiums paid are being set against this provision, which is periodically assessed for adequacy.

NOTE 21 Financial commitments Operatingleases 2013 2012Landandbuildings,leasesexpiring £000 £000Within one year 782 2,116 Between two and five years 1,887 855 After five years 5,559 4,166 8,228 7,137 Plantandequipment,leasesexpiring Within one year 62 57 Between two and five years 63 100 125 157

NOTE 22 Capital commitments and contingent liabilities At March 31st 2013, there was no capital expenditure contracted for but not provided in the financial statements(2012: £nil). There are contingent Group liabilities in respect of legal claims, indemnities, warranties and guarantees inrelation to former businesses. None of these claims is expected to result in a material loss to the Group.

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NOTE 23 Related party transactions

The Financial Times Limited holds 50% of the issued share capital in the company and is entitled to appoint six out of a totalof 13 places for directors on the company’s Board. The Financial Times Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pearson plc.The Group sold goods and services to Pearson plc and subsidiary companies to a total value of £73,646 (2012: £366,019) inthe normal course of trade during the year, and acquired goods and services to a total value of £242,700 (2012: £64,848),excluding directors’ fees described on page 24. The aggregate balances outstanding with these companies as at March 31st2013 were £7,655 (2012: £nil) due to the Group and £69,611 (2012: £6,516) due from the Group.

NOTE 24 Acquisitions

During the year the Group made the following acquisitions: AcquisitionofClearstate(Pte)Limited(Clearstate) On April 2nd 2012 the Group acquired 100% of the ordinary share capital of Clearstate, a Singapore-based market intelligencecompany specialising in customised strategic advisory and primary research solutions in the healthcare and life-sciencessectors, for an initial consideration of Singapore $10,000,000 (£4,976,000). Clearstate has been accounted for as an acquisition. The following table sets out the book values for the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired and their fair value to the Group. 2013 Book value Fair value adjustments Provisional fair value £000 £000 £000 Tangible fixed assets 22 8 30 Debtors 543 11 554 Cash at bank and in hand 85 (6) 79 Totalassets 650 13 663

Creditors Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (24) (131) (155)Deferred revenue (13) (129) (142)Netassetsacquired 613 (247) 366Goodwill 6,552 Consideration 6,918 Considerationsatisfiedby: Cash consideration 4,976Deferred consideration 1,742 Related costs of acquisition 200 6,918

Netcashoutflowinrespectoftheacquisitioncomprised: Cash consideration and acquisition costs 5,176 Cash at bank and in hand acquired (79) 5,097

All the provisional fair values included above are based on management’s best estimate at the date of preparation of thefinancial statements. Clearstate contributed an inflow of £5,000 to the Group’s net operating cashflows, paid £nil in respectof interest, £nil in respect of tax and used £7,000 capital expenditure. In its last financial year to December 31st 2011,the audited financial statements of Clearstate showed a profit after tax of S$428,000. For the period since the date ofthe acquisition, Clearstate has generated £1,566,000 revenue, £1,169,000 costs and an operating loss of £397,000, after £335,000 goodwill amortisation. Goodwill is reviewed where there is an indication of impairment. Given the projected performance of Clearstate, no impairment is required.

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NOTE 24 Acquisitions (continued)

AcquisitionofBazianLimited On November 22nd 2012 the Group acquired 100% of the ordinary share capital of Bazian Limited (Bazian), a London-based healthcare business, for an initial consideration of £4,900,000. Bazian collects and supplies clinical evidence on treatment and health technologies to allow decision-makers to assess clinical effectiveness and value for money. Bazian has been accounted for as an acquisition. The following table sets out the book values for the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired and their fair value to the Group. 2013 Book value Fair value adjustments Provisional fair value £000 £000 £000 Tangible fixed assets 9 - 9 Debtors 248 - 248Cash at bank and in hand 1,336 - 1,336Totalassets 1,593 - 1,593

Creditors Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (685) (63) (748)Deferred revenue (114) - (114)Netassetsacquired 794 (63) 731Goodwill 5,947Consideration 6,678 Considerationsatisfiedby: Cash consideration 4,900Working capital adjustment 735Deferred consideration 777 Related costs of acquisition 266 6,678

Netcashoutflowinrespectoftheacquisitioncomprised: Cash consideration and acquisition costs 5,166 Cash at bank and in hand acquired (1,336) 3,830

All the provisional fair values included above are based on management’s best estimate at the date of preparation of the financial statements. Bazian contributed an outflow of £257,000 to the Group’s net operating cashflows, paid £nil in respectof interest, £99,000 in respect of tax and used £2,000 capital expenditure. In its last financial year to March 31st 2012,the unaudited financial statements of Bazian showed a profit after tax of £399,000. For the period since the date of theacquisition, Bazian has generated £603,000 revenue, £535,000 costs and an operating profit of £68,000, after £99,000 goodwill amortisation. Goodwill is reviewed where there is an indication of impairment. Given the performance of Bazian since its acquisition, no impairment is required.

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NOTE 24 Acquisitions (continued)

PrioryearacquisitionofIllumen

In November 2011 the Group acquired the trade and assets of Illumen for a cash consideration of US$1,150,000. The followingtable sets out the book values for the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired and their fair value to the Group. 2012 £000Debtors 23Totalassets 23

Creditors Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (31)Deferred revenue (209)Netliabilitiesacquired (217)Goodwill 1,031Consideration 814 Considerationsatisfiedby: Cash consideration 721Costs associated with the acquisition 93 814

Netcashoutflowinrespectoftheacquisitioncomprised: Cash consideration and acquisition costs 814

Goodwill is reviewed where there is an indication of impairment. Given the performance of Illumen since its acquisition, noimpairment is required.

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NOTE 25 Derivative financial instruments

The Group enters into forward exchange contracts and foreign-currency option contracts to mitigate US-dollar currencyexposures. The Group does not recognise the fair value of these derivative instruments on the balance sheet. During the year,the Group entered into 13 (2012: 13) forward exchange contracts and 13 (2012: 13) option contracts. The fair value of forwardcontracts outstanding at the year end is a liability of £833,000 (2012: £232,800 asset) and of the option contracts a liabilityof £416,000 (2012: £185,000 asset). The Group has also taken out an interest swap to hedge the LIBOR component of interestpayable on the US-dollar loan taken out to finance the acquisition of Capitol Advantage LLC. The fair value of the interest rateswap arrangement at March 31st was a liability of £13,000 (2012: £77,000).

NOTE 26 Events after balance-sheet date

On April 22nd 2013 the Group sold the trade and assets of European Voice, which covers the latest EU news and analysis through its weekly newspaper, website and events business.

NOTE 24 Acquisitions (continued)

PrioryearacquisitionofTVCGroupLimited

In March 2012 the Group acquired 100% interest in the ordinary share capital of TVC Group Limited (TVC) and its subsidiaries for an initial cash consideration of £7,124,000 plus repayment of bank and other loans of £3,215,000. The following table sets out the book values for the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired and their provisional fair value to the Group. 2012 £000 Tangible fixed assets 93 Debtors 1,381 Deferred taxation 120 Cash at bank and in hand 925 Totalassets 2,519

Creditors Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (1,590)Loans payable (3,215)Deferred revenue (410)Netliabilitiesacquired (2,696)Goodwill 11,274 Consideration 8,578 Considerationsatisfiedby: Cash consideration 7,124 Working capital adjustment 378 Deferred consideration 661 Related costs of acquisition 415 8,578

Netcashoutflowinrespectoftheacquisitioncomprised: Cash consideration and acquisition costs 10,455 Cash at bank and in hand acquired (925) 9,530

Goodwill is reviewed where there is an indication of impairment. Given the performance of TVC since its acquisition, noimpairment is required.

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Company balance sheet at March 31st

2013 2012 NOTE £000 £000 Fixedassets 27 Tangible assets 5,732 2,127 27 Investments 292,146 181,364 297,878 183,491 Currentassets 27 Stocks 622 654 27 Debtors: due after one year 182,400 173,378 27 Debtors: due within one year 56,498 38,908 27 Deferred taxation 1,781 2,273 Cash at bank and in hand 16,832 24,662 258,133 239,875 27 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (188,273) (92,987) Unexpired subscriptions and deferred revenue (25,166) (25,886) Netcurrentassets 44,694 121,002 Totalassetslesscurrentliabilities 342,572 304,493 27 Provisions for liabilities and charges (1,493) (1,497) 27 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (265,833) (250,699) Netassets 75,246 52,297

Capitalandreserves 17 Called-up share capital 1,260 1,260 27 Profit and loss account 73,986 51,037 Equityshareholders’funds 75,246 52,297 The financial statements were approved by the Board of directors and authorised for issue on June 18th 2013. They were signed on its behalf by: RupertPennant-Rea ChrisStibbs Directors

Company statement of total recognised gains and losses

YearsendedMarch31st 2013 2012 £000 £000

Profit for the financial year 63,987 41,491 Exchange translation differences arising on foreign currency net investment hedge (233) 13 Actuarial (loss)/gain on other post-retirement benefits (228) 114UK deferred tax attributable to the actuarial loss/(gain) 62 (27)Totalrecognisedgainsfortheyear 63,588 41,591

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NOTE 27 Notes to company balance sheet

Tangiblefixedassets Leasehold Plant and buildings: short machinery Equipment TotalCost £000 £000 £000 £000At April 1st 2012 2,069 990 20,242 23,301 Additions 2,948 - 1,882 4,830 Disposals (2,061) (14) (1,651) (3,726)At March 31st 2013 2,956 976 20,473 24,405 Accumulateddepreciation At April 1st 2012 1,865 990 18,319 21,174 Provided during year 234 - 869 1,103 Disposals (2,060) (14) (1,530) (3,604) At March 31st 2013 39 976 17,658 18,673 NetbookvalueatMarch31st2013 2,917 - 2,815 5,732 Net book value at March 31st 2012 204 - 1,923 2,127

Fixedassets:investments Shares in Group companiesCostandnetbookvalue £000At April 1st 2012 181,364Additions 105,993 Exchange translation differences 4,789 At March 31st 2013 292,146 On October 12th 2012 the company capitalised intra-Group debt of £5,366,000 advanced to The Economist Group SingaporePte Limited to fund the acquisition of Clearstate (Pte) Limited by way of a new share issue by the company.

On November 22nd 2012 the company acquired 100% of the ordinary share capital of Bazian Limited (Bazian), a London-basedhealthcare business, for £6,678,000, comprising the initial consideration and costs of acquisition.

On March 19th 2013 the company acquired the entire share capital of The Economist Group (Luxembourg) Limited for£93,949,000 at book value from The Economist Group Limited and The Economist Group BV in exchange for intra-Group debt.

The directors believe that the carrying value of the investments is supported by their underlying net assets.The principal wholly owned subsidiary undertakings of the company which are consolidated are: The Economist Intelligence Unit, NA, Inc (USA) The Economist Group (Asia/Pacific) Limited (Hong Kong) The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited* The Economist Group (US Holdings) Limited The Economist Group (Investments) Limited The Economist Newspaper Group, Inc (USA) The Economist Newspaper, NA, Inc (USA) The Economist Group Singapore Pte Limited (Singapore)* TEG New Jersey LLC (USA) The Economist Group France S.a.r.l (France)* Ryder Street Properties Limited The Economist Group (Switzerland) SA (Switzerland)* TEG India Private Limited (India) Clearstate (Pte.) Limited (Singapore)The Economist Group Trustee Company Limited* EuroFinance Conferences Limited*The Economist Group (Luxembourg) Limited (Guernsey)* TEG Massachusetts Corporation (USA) CQ-Roll Call, Inc (USA) TVC Group Limited* Capitol Advantage LLC The Television Consultancy Limited Bazian Limited The Economist (Shanghai) Management Consulting Company Limited (China)

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NOTE 27 Notes to company balance sheet (continued)

These companies are engaged in publishing, marketing and related services and in the provision of business informationexcept for Ryder Street Properties Limited, which rents and lets property. The Economist Group (US Holdings) Limited, The Economist Group (Luxembourg) Limited and The Economist Group (Investments) Limited act as investment companies for the Group. The Economist Group Trustee Company Limited is the trustee of the ESOP. All the companies above are incorporated and registered in England and Wales with the exception of those indicated. The companies marked * are directly owned by The Economist Newspaper Limited; all other companies are owned through wholly owned subsidiaries. The Economist (Shanghai) Management Consulting Company Limited has a financial year ending December 31st. All other subsidiaries have a financial year ending March 31st.

2013 2012Stocks £000 £000Raw materials 575 603Finished goods 47 51 622 654

Debtors 2013 2012Dueafteroneyear £000 £000Amounts owed by Group companies 182,400 173,378

Debtors owed by Group companies includes an amount of £163,372,000 which bears interest of 5.9% per year.

2013 2012Duewithinoneyear £000 £000Trade debtors 19,871 19,696Amounts owed by Group companies 31,280 13,859 Other debtors 836 401Prepayments and accrued income 4,511 4,952 56,498 38,908

Summaryofmovementsindeferredtaxasset £000At April 1st 2012 2,273Adjustments to tax charge in respect of previous year (381)Charge to the profit and loss account (56)Credited to other recognised gains for the year 56Effect of changes in tax rates (111)At March 31st 2013 1,781

2013 2012Assets recognised for deferred taxation under the liability method are: £000 £000Excess of depreciation over capital allowances 348 388Post-retirement benefits 355 281Other timing differences 1,078 1,604 1,781 2,273

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NOTE 27 Notes to company balance sheet (continued) 2013 2012Creditors:amountsfallingduewithinoneyear £000 £000Bank loans and overdraft 3,546 6,794Trade creditors 5,046 7,216 Amounts owed to Group companies 152,598 49,896 Other creditors including taxation and social security 10,022 8,159 Accruals 17,061 20,922 188,273 92,987Other creditors including taxation and social security comprise:Corporation tax 1,286 4,459 Other tax and social security payable 1,437 1,381Other creditors 7,299 2,319 10,022 8,159

2013 2012Creditors:amountsfallingdueafteroneyear £000 £0007.93% unsecured loan note 2019-20 16,357 15,4987.72% unsecured loan note 2019-20 39,258 37,195 Term loan 4,900 -Unsecured bank loan - 3,356Amounts owed to Group companies 205,318 194,650 265,833 250,699The amounts owed to Group companies are non-interest bearing.

MaturityofunsecuredbankloansandoverdraftsIn one year or less, or on demand 3,546 6,794In more than one year, but not more than two years 9,995 3,356In more than two years, but not more than five years 31,946 26,319In more than five years 18,574 26,374 64,061 62,843

In January 2012, the Group entered into a new revolving credit facility of £49m and a £51m term loan facility. Both of thesefacilities are unsecured and have a five-year term. The revolving credit facility expires after five years. The term loan facilityexpires after five years unless it is not utilised during the first two years, in which case it expires. If it is utilised, it is repayablebetween three and five years from the date the facility was established. At March 31st 2013, £4,900,000 had been drawn down from the term loan facility while the revolving credit facility was undrawn. The Group also has overdraft facilities which are subject to review in January 2017. The unsecured bank loans were taken out to finance the acquisition of Capitol Advantage LLC and are denominated in USdollars and bear interest based on US-dollar LIBOR plus 3.0% and a fixed rate of 3.15%. The Group has entered into a swaparrangement to fix LIBOR at 2.19% for 50% of the interest payable on one of its unsecured loans. The US dollar-denominatedloans were revalued at the closing exchange rate and resulted in an unrealised loss of £234,000 (2012: gain of £13,750).

The company entered into a ten-year committed loan note arrangement in August 2009 to fund the acquisition ofCongressional Quarterly. The loan notes are repayable annually in equal instalments from the fifth to the tenth year afterinception. The unsecured loan notes were drawn down in two tranches and are stated net of unamortised issue costs of£514,000 (2012: £595,000). These costs, together with the interest expense, are all allocated to the profit and loss accountover the ten-year term of the facility at a constant carrying amount. The US dollar-denominated loan notes were valued at theclosing exchange rate and resulted in an unrealised loss of £2,924,000 (2012: £170,000).

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NOTE 27 Notes to company balance sheet (continued) Provisions for post-retirement benefitsProvisionsforliabilities £000At April 1st 2012 1,497Charge to the profit and loss account 120Charge to the statement of recognised gains and losses 27Utilised in year (151)At March 31st 2013 1,493

PensionsThe company has adopted FRS 17. Although The Economist Group Pension Plan is a combination of defined-benefit and contribution schemes, the company will account for the Plan as if it were a defined-contribution scheme, as the company is unable to identify its share of the underlying assets and liabilities of the Plan. 2013 2012Reserves:profitandlossaccount £000 £000At April 1st 51,037 48,506Retained profit for the year 23,116 2,433Net sale/(purchase) of own shares 232 (2) Other recognised (losses)/gains relating to the year (399) 100At March 31st 73,986 51,037 The directors have taken advantage of the exemption under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and have not presented a profit and loss account for the company alone. The company’s profit after tax for the financial year amounted to £63,987,000 (2012: £41,491,000). Share-basedpayments The company has recorded total liabilities at March 31st of £2,374,000 (2012: £2,844,000). Refer to Note 8 for further details of the share-based incentive schemes.

Financialcommitments 2013 2012Operatingleases £000 £000Landandbuildings,leasesexpiring Within one year 444 1,565 Between two and five years 111 415After five years 1,202 8 1,757 1,988 Plantandequipment,leasesexpiring Within one year 8 43Between two and five years 103 28 111 71 At March 31st 2013, there was no capital expenditure contracted for but not provided in the financial statements (2012: £nil). The company has guaranteed certain bank overdrafts and property leases of its subsidiaries and the bank overdraft of the Group’s employee share ownership plan trustee company. The annual cost of property leases guaranteed by the company is currently £707,000 (2012: £670,000) per year.

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Notice is hereby given that the annual general meeting of The Economist Newspaper Limited will be held at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, 195 Piccadilly, London W1J 9LN on Thursday July 18th 2013 at 12.15pm, for the purposes set out below.

1. To receive the accounts and the reports of the directors and the auditors for the year ended March 31st 2013.2. To declare a final dividend of 88.7 pence per share in respect of the year ended March 31st 2013 to all “A” Special, “B” Special and ordinary shareholders on the company’s register of members at the close of business on June 18th 2013.3. To reappoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the company’s auditors to hold office until the conclusion of the next general meeting at which accounts are laid before the company.4. To authorise the directors to fix the remuneration of the auditors.

By order of the BoardOscarGrutSecretary

Registered Office25 St James’s StreetLondon SW1A 1HG

June 24th 2013

A member entitled to attend and vote at this meeting may appoint a proxy, who need not be a shareholder, to attend, speak and vote in his place. A member may appoint more than one proxy, provided that each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to a different share or shares held by the member. The appointment of a proxy will not prevent a member from attending and voting at the meeting in person.

A form of proxy is enclosed. To be valid, it must be completed and signed in accordance with the instructions and delivered to the company’s registrars, Computershare Investor Services plc, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS99 6ZY at least 48 hours before the meeting.

notice of annual general meeting

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notes

63

notes

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notes

Annual report 2013